Noel Gallagher mocks Zayn Malik's One Direction exit: 'Get a good accountant because life is very f**kin' long'

Former Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher has criticised Zayn Malik's decision to quit One Direction, claiming that he is a "f***** idiot".

In March, Bradford-born Malik announced he was leaving the group after five years.

"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," Malik said in a departing statement.

But Gallagher had some harsh words of advice for the pop star when he recently caught up with Rolling Stone magazine.

Not only did he accuse Malik of throwing away a great opportunity that some people can only dream of, Gallagher also warned him that he had a long road ahead.

"I've never met [Malik]. I've only met Harry [Styles], who orbits in social circles where sometimes we end up at the same parties. Harry's not got a great deal to say for himself but he's a good lad. For Zayn, though, I'd say, 'F**kin' get a good accountant because life is very f**kin' long'," he said.

He went on to mock Malik's desire to live a private life out of the spotlight saying: "Hang on a minute, You can be f****** anything that moves, getting' paid f****** half a million dollars a week, you f***** idiot."

The Wonderwall hitmaker added: "You want to be a normal 22-year-old? Have you met any normal 22-year-olds? They're f***in' sh*t-for-brains. What are you talking about, you f**kin' idiot?"

"So shallow and meaningless... I'll say this to you, Zayn: You might have wanted to be a normal 22-year-old, but you won't want to be a normal 25-year-old."

Gallagher is not the first musician to weigh in on Malik's exit. In April, former Westlife star Brian McFadden claimed that the young heartthrob will struggle as a solo star after walking away from bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Liam Payne.

"It's difficult to adapt to life on your own when you spent so much time in a band, you kind of become a family," said McFadden.

"For Westlife, we became brothers and I think that was the hardest thing for me. Not waking up in the morning and sharing my day with four other lads, that'll be difficult for him."