Zayn Malik was terrified of his girlfriend's brother.

The 19-year-old One Direction star is dating Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards but admitted he was worried about meeting her family, especially her brother who is in the Navy.

He told The Sun newspaper: ''I went to meet her mum and family the other month.

''I was a bit scared of her brother to be honest -- he's in the Navy. He's a big bloke.

''I thought he was going to be a bit defensive of his sister but he was really cool.''

Zayn also revealed he struggles to cope when he has to spend time away from his own close knit family and worries that he isn't around to look after his younger sisters.

He said: ''It's been really hard. Last weekend was the first time in six months that I'd been home.

''It's pretty strange because you have images of people in your head when you left, then you just think they're going to be the same when you come back, like time freezes. I have sisters and from the ages of 11 to 13 -- it's a big change for girls.''