Writers at modelling agency Models Direct have been surprised to hear of the dramatic reactions to an unconfirmed relationship between Caroline Flack and Harry Styles this week.

The 32 year old model and Xtra Factor presenter Flack has been branded a ‘cradle snatcher’ and received death threats after she was romantically linked with One Direction singer Styles, who is 15 years her junior. Both parties deny any romance though many sources are claiming that the pair shared a kiss on a night out last month and, more recently, the anger of One Direction fans was further fuelled by reports that they were seen sharing a romantic meal at a London restaurant.

It appears that Styles may not have helped to squash gossip with his reported comment: “We’re friends and we hang out sometimes but that’s about it for now. We’ll see what happens.”

Some fans have reacted with outrage at the idea of a potential relationship between the pair, leaving vicious messages on Flack’s Twitter account. One described her as a “saggy old woman”, another wrote: “If Caroline Flack flirts with my boyfriend I will personally hunt her down and shoot her.”

Flack responded to the comments: “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.”

Guys and girls in the Models Direct offices generally agree that death threats do seem a little out of perspective! However, the age gap is clearly big enough to inspire disgust in some.

Styles responded to the Twitter comments by saying: “I think a lot of people write stuff on the internet and a lot of the time, they don’t really think about what exactly they’re writing and how it can affect people.”

We can’t help but wonder how long any secretly budding relationship could possibly last under this kind of scrutiny and with such a negative reaction – even if there is any truth to reports – so Styles fans probably have little to fear. However, if the unconventional couple did wish to pursue a relationship would this kind of reaction be justified?

What do you think?

Thankfully for Flack the controversy does not appear to have damaged her relationship with clothing label Apricot, who recently asked her to be a model for their denim Transformer range. We have to admit that she looked great in the campaign shots where she modelled a variety of styles, showing off a youthful figure that many 22 year olds, let alone 32 year olds, would surely envy.