One Direction's Niall Horan And Demi Lovato "Casually" Dating?

9 October 2012, 08:00 | Updated: 9 October 2012, 08:04

The X Factor USA judge has apparently opened up on the pair's relationship for the first time.

One Direction singer Niall Horan and Demi Lovato are reportedly in a "casual" relationship despite previous reports that the pair were simply "just friends".

The 'What Makes You Beautiful' star has been linked to the 'Skyscrapper' singer ever since he revealed the pair had shared a series of Skype dates.

This led to continued speculation, with both parties denying anything serious was going on, but did share a romantic dinner date after the MTV Video Music Awards last month.

"Demi's told the guys backstage she and Niall are loosely dating – it's casual but they are definitely dating, albeit long-distance," an insider told the Daily Mirror.

The publication also reports that Demi spoke about the couple's situation and spoke of many of the boy band star's "great qualities".

"He is an amazing listener and makes me laugh a lot, two of the main qualities I look for," she confessed. "He knows I have a little crush on him, and we enjoy having dinner when we get the chance. We speak and message all the time."

She continued: "I don't want a relationship over Skype; we are both in a place where we feel zero pressure to rush. We share the philosophy that the right one is worth waiting for."

The former Disney star admitted both she and Niall have had a whirlwind 2012 so far, which has made it difficult to get into a relationship.

Meanwhile, the 'Gotta Be You' star's bandmates' love lives have also been spoke about in great detail recently.

Harry Styles has apparently spoken about how he is ready to settle down and start a relationship and Liam Payne has been linked to former X Factor champion Leona Lewis following his split from Danielle Peazer.