'People are saying it's disgusting... I don't think it is': Cougar Caroline Flack on age gap between her and One Direction star Harry Styles

By Nadia Mendoza

Last updated at 10:48 AM on 6th December 2011
After much speculation of are they or aren't they, Caroline Flack has finally broken her silence on toyboy Harry Styles, 17.

The 32-year-old presenter received death threats on Twitter from diehard One Direction fans, warning her to steer clear of their idol.

But the Xtra Factor host maintains she has done nothing wrong and that people simply 'aren't accepting of big age gaps'.

Cougar time: Caroline Flack looks every inch the sex kitten in her leopard print body as she defends big age gaps in relationships

Caroline said: 'I feel like I shouldn’t have to worry about what I do. But it’s a social thing that people aren’t accepting of big age gaps.'

Defending the 15 years between them, she told Now magazine: 'I keep thinking, "What have I done wrong?" But I haven’t done anything wrong.

'What’s hard for me to get my head around is people saying it’s disgusting. I don’t think it is.'

It's not disgusting: Caroline shows off the figure which no doubt caught Harry's eye

It's not disgusting: Caroline shows off the figure which no doubt caught One Direction star Harry's eye

The pair first sparked speculation of a romance back in October, when they shared a kiss and were caught on camera flirting during the reality series spin-off show broadcast on ITV2.

Floppy-haired Harry was later quizzed about the tender moment, which can be seen in the video below, squirming awkwardly in his seat and failing to deny the accusation while quipping that Caroline is 'hot'.

Age ain't nothing but a number: Caroline Flack says people don't accept the 15 year age gap between her and Harry Styles

Age ain't nothing but a number: Caroline, 32, says she doesn't think the 15 year age gap between her and 17-year-old Harry Styles is 'disgusting' or 'negative'

Last month, the pair were seen sharing desserts at a restaurant in St Martin's Lane Hotel, London, before leaving together in the same taxi.
Caroline added: 'Some people tend to see the negative immediately and that’s what I find strange.

'If two people like each other and get on, why does anyone else find a negative in it?

Blossoming romance: Caroline and Harry were spotted enjoying an intimate dinner together at the St Martins Lane hotel on November 15

'I know it’s human nature for everyone to gossip. But why say it’s bad? No one’s being hurt.'

Read the full interview in Now Magazine - out today

Regarding the death threats, she said: 'It’s a form of bullying from people who are hiding behind a computer. I knew they were just a minority of One Direction fans and all very young – it’s a kind of fanatical obsession.

'I can’t take it seriously or I’d never come out of my house.'
'He (Harry) told me, "Don’t listen to Twitter". So he became the mature one at that point.'

At the time, Caroline took to the social networking site and wrote: 'Hi One Direction fans! To clarify. I'm close friends with harry.. He's one of the nicest people I know...I don't deserve death threats. :) x.'

In 2009, Flack was rumoured to be dating Prince Harry, but she later claimed he was just a friend who she confided in following the breakdown of her three-year relationship with The Holloways drummer Dave Danger.