Zayn Malik has quit One Direction the 22-year-old has confirmed today. Zayn was already on a leave of absence from the band, who are currently in the middle of their On The Road Again world tour, due to stress and revealed the news Directioners have been dreading in a Facebook post on the band's page this afternoon.
Zayn has often spoken about how he struggles with fame more than the other members of the boy band, so it might not be a shock to some that he's decided to quit now.
Revealing why he's quit, he wrote: "My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world."
Zayn Malik has quit One Direction (WENN)
Here's the band's full statement: "After five incredible years Zayn Malik has decided to leave One Direction. Niall, Harry, Liam and Louis will continue as a four-piece and look forward to the forthcoming concerts of their world tour and recording their fifth album, due to be released later this year."
One Direction have said in response to the news: "We're really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future. The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends. The four of us will now continue. We're looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour."
Simon Cowell, who has reaped the benefit of their huge success added his own words: "I would like to say thank you to Zayn for everything he has done for One Direction. Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have grown very, very fond - and immensely proud - of him. I have seen him grow in confidence and I am truly sorry to see him leave. As for One Direction, fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band."
One Direction will continue as a four without Zayn Malik (WENN)
The band will continue with the remainder of the Asian leg of their On The Road Again world tour whihc will see the gorup perform tonight for the first time as a four, officially. On Saturday night, March 21 the global phenomen took to the stage in Manila, The Phillipines refusing to call themselves One Direction without their fifth member, instead choosing to introduce themselves individually.
But this is your new One Direction: Liam, Harry, Niall and Louis. For now their future seems tight. The band have reportedly signed a further two album deal with Simon Cowell's record label Syco, which they will be contractually obliged to fulfil as a four. Lawyers have been reportedly working all week to let Zayn go from his current agreement with the record label, which appears to have to come to a close this afternoon.
Since coming third on The X Factor back in 2010, One Direction have become one of, if not the biggest pop sensation of all time. In just four years they have sold over 50 million albums and won five Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, 11 MTV Europe Music Awards,19 Teen Choice Awards and became the first band ever to have their first four albums all debut at number one on the Billboard Top 200.
