A b ookmaker has suspended betting on One Direction splitting up amid speculation that Harry Styles is preparing to embark on a solo career.

Coral was forced to close the market after punters took a "major gamble" late on Saturday night on the world's biggest boy band breaking up.

Before betting was suspended, the firm offered odds of even money on the five-piece calling it quits, while Harry was the 2/1 favourite to be the first member to leave.

The odds on any band member releasing solo material this year were 5/1.

A Coral spokesman said: " 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."