Liam Payne posts picture with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini as romance rumours hot up

One Direction star Liam Payne has appeared to confirm he is in a relationship with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini by posting a picture of the pair on Instagram.

The boyband heart-throb, 22, changed his profile picture on the social network to show him bare-chested alongside Fernandez-Versini, 32, who is making a "peace" sign with her hand.

The bio for the account, which has 8.9 million followers, simply reads "Happy".

Reports in recent days have suggested the global teen idol is in a relationship with the singer and X Factor judge, who is going through a divorce from her second husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, 35.

It is reported the couple shared a Valentine's Day holiday in the Maldives.

Bookmaker Coral has offered odds of 6-1 that the couple will get engaged in 2016, and odds of 2-1 that they perform a duet before the end of the year.

It is offering 1-3 that the couple will confirm they are an item this year.

John Hill of Coral said: "Some punters were quick to call this romance in December as we took bets on the pair hooking up in 2016 as part of our new year specials."

Fernandez-Versini was previously married to England footballer Ashley Cole.