NEW YORK • One Direction heartthrob Louis Tomlinson is set to become a father, reports said on Tuesday, in the latest jolt for the boyband once known for their 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 American celebrity magazine People.

The Sun - which ran the headline "One Conception" - said Tomlinson went on dates with Ms Jungwirth in May after breaking up with his British girlfriend of four years, Ms Eleanor Calder.

People magazine said Tomlinson - whose British band have vowed not to split up after a recent feud - was looking for properties in Los Angeles.

An anonymous friend was quoted as saying: "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."

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, they have released an album of crowd-pleasing pop each year before the year-end holidays, selling more than 50 million records worldwide.

They largely managed to avoid controversy until March when founding member Zayn Malik quit. He afterwards entered a feud over social media with Tomlinson, who questioned his former bandmate's solo efforts.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE