Niall and Ellie were never overtly open about their relationship, but one song released in 2014 pretty much confirmed the two were a couple. "Don't" by Ed Sheeran is believed to be about Niall and Ellie's affair while Ellie was dating Ed. Talk about airing out some dirty laundry.
A few years after the two ended things, Ellie told Seventeen that she and Niall are "still friends." She went on to explain that they "went on a few dates, and it was really fun. He's a really, really, lovely guy." She continued to gush over him, saying that is sense of humour is huge and he's incredibly caring.