Ellie Goulding has responded to rumours linking her with One Direction man Niall Horan.

The two singers have struck up a friendship over the last number of months, but some eager minds believe that they might be romantically linked.

However, Goulding told Fabulous magazine that the speculation isn't true, with the 'Burn' lady praising the Irishman's character instead.

She said: "I don’t know where that came from…but he’s awesome."

The blonde beauty has been linked with McFly's Dougie Poynter and that speculation was seemingly confirmed at the weekend when the Daily Mail quoted the bassist as saying that they are a couple.

However, Goulding later said on Twitter: "How is a newspaper allowed to make up a random quote from someone about me. It's very naughty indeed."

Poynter meanwhile said: "Apparently I say “breath of fresh air” these days. If your going to make something that I said up at least make me sound a little less flamboyant."