One Direction to become two as Louis to be a dad

Celebrity

Sharon McGowan and Kerri-Ann Roper

One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson will go from singing pop songs to nursery rhymes as he is going to become a father for the first time.

The British boyband star (23) is said to be expecting a baby with American stylist Briana Jungwirth, which will make him the first member of One Direction to be a father.

The pair - who met each other through mutual pals earlier this year - are not thought to be in a relationship and are instead just "close friends".

Louis and Briana were pictured together on numerous nights out in Hollywood back in May and were snapped holding hands at rapper Snoop Dogg's album release party.

While the baby news will no doubt come as a surprise to One Direction fans, People magazine has reported Louis and Briana are "excited" at the prospect of becoming parents, with Briana due to give birth early next year.

Excited

"Louis is happy and very excited about becoming a dad and he thinks Briana will be an amazing mother," a mutual friend told the magazine.

"It was a surprise at first, but he and Briana are very, very close friends and this has brought them even closer."

However, a spokesperson for the popstar declined to comment on the rumours.

Louis is known for his sense of humour and pulling pranks on his One Direction band mates. In 2012, he caused a social media storm after writing on Twitter that he was going to become a dad.

However, the singer put his millions of teenage fans' minds at ease when he admitted shortly afterwards the tweet was an April Fool's joke.

He is believed to be single since his split from long-term love Eleanor Calder earlier this year.

Tomlinson had been dating the Manchester University graduate for four years before they went their separate ways in March.

Since their breakup, Louis has been linked to numerous high-profile stars.

Back in May, the heartthrob was pictured in a taxi after a night out with US songstress Camila Cabello, who is a member of popular girl group Fifth Harmony.

Last month, Louis also seemed to be getting cosy with model Tamara Bell while he partied at iconic music festival Glastonbury with his Irish bandmate Niall Horan.