A bookmaker has suspended betting on One Direction splitting up, leading to speculation that Harry Styles is to leave the group and begin a solo career.

Coral bookmakers closed the market on if the group would split after gamblers took a “major gamble” on Saturday night on One Direction splitting.

Before the market was suspended the odds on a split were evens, while the odds on Styles being the first one to break away was just 2/1.

The bookmaker said of the decision: "A rush of shrewd bets on One Direction splitting up raised the alarm and forced us to close betting until further notice.

"There's no smoke without fire and these bets indicate that the rumours are true."

The news comes after a series of stories surrounding Harry Styles – ranging from setting up of new companies to entering recording studios alone – have generated speculation of a split.