New York: One Direction heartthrob Louis Tomlinson is set to become a father, reports said Tuesday, in the latest jolt for the boy band once known for its squeaky-clean image.
The 23-year-old, who would be the first dad in One Direction, is expecting a child with Los Angeles stylist Briana Jungwirth, according to British tabloid The Sun and US celebrity magazine People.
The Sun -- which ran the headline "One Conception" -- said that Tomlinson went on dates with Jungwirth in May after breaking up with girlfriend of four years Eleanor Calder.
People magazine said that Tomlinson -- whose British band has vowed not to split up after a recent feud -- was looking for properties in Los Angeles.
"They are both really happy and although they aren`t in a relationship, their friendship is extremely strong and they are both really excited about the baby," an anonymous friend was quoted as saying.
A representative for the band did not immediately comment. Tomlinson last posted on Twitter a day earlier to raise support for a children`s charity.
One Direction stormed onto the scene in 2010 when the young men appeared on the British talent show "The X Factor."
Beginning in 2011, the group has released an album of crowd-pleasing pop each year before the year-end holidays, selling more than 50 million records worldwide.
One Direction largely managed to avoid controversy until March when founding member Zayn Malik quit.
Malik afterward entered a feud over social media with Tomlinson, who questioned his former bandmate`s solo efforts.
