Perrie Edwards is reportedly dating reality TV star Joey Essex.

The stunning Little Mix singer - who was cruelly dumped by former fiance Zayn Malik, 22, via text message - met former 'The Only Way Is Essex' star Joey, 24, at the Pride of Britain awards last month and the duo are said to have swapped numbers.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''It's very early days, but Perrie likes Joey because he makes her laugh. They are just getting to know each other and taking things slowly, but Joey is already smitten.

''Perrie has just come out of a serious relationship and is enjoying having fun right now.''

Perrie, 22, recently insisted she is loving single life and has been enjoying being chatted up by men in nightclubs.

She said ''I'm having an absolute blast. We have a bit of banter with guys in nightclubs ... I love it.

''I love going out. I'm feeling brilliant and I'm in a good place - and I've got new hair.

''We just banter with them - it's fun. Jade [Thirlwall] can be a bad influence, but she always looks after me and makes sure I don't get too drunk. The other night she was filling my glass with water.''