One Direction: Zayn Malik tweets 'bro' Liam Payne to celebrate boy band's fifth anniversary

Zayn Malik solo career — Zayn Malik quit One Direction in March to be a "normal 22-year-old" Reuters/Andrew Burton

He may have quit the boy band but Zayn Malik is clearly still fond of his former One Direction bandmates.

The 22-year-old shared a Twitter exchange with 1D singer Liam Payne as the band and their devoted Directioners marked five years since they were formed on The X Factor.

Reflecting on his time in the band, Payne, 21, told his followers:

Wowwwww 5 years 5 boys what an amazing journey I couldn't thank you all ever enough and thank you Louis Niall Harry and zayn for everything
— Liam (@Real_Liam_Payne) July 23, 2015

Thanks for all the memories boys I love you all
— Liam (@Real_Liam_Payne) July 23, 2015

Malik later replied:

@Real_Liam_Payne thanks bro ! ? x
— zaynmalik (@zaynmalik) July 23, 2015

Fans are pleased that Payne included his former bandmate in the message considering Malik quit the group in March 2015 to take time away from the spotlight.

Although he was embroiled in a Twitter feud with 1D star Louis Tomlinson in the weeks after his departure, Malik is believed to still be on friendly terms with the rest of his former bandmates, Harry Styles and Niall Horan.

One Direction, now consisting of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, are currently on a world tour PR shot

Styles, 21, shared his own message to celebrate the band's anniversary, telling Directioners that they "wouldn't be here without [them]".

We have been a band for five years. And it is impossible to thank anyone enough for all the support they have given us over this time..
— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) July 22, 2015

All the crew that we have been so lucky to work with, and everyone who is behind the scenes. We thank you for everything that you do.
— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) July 22, 2015

To you who support us, in any way, thank you. We wouldn't be here without you. You did this and we thank you for having us. All the love
— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) July 22, 2015

The future of One Direction has been called into question after their Syco record label boss Simon Cowell suggested that they could take a break after the release of their fifth studio album towards the end of 2015.

In an interview with The Sun newspaper, Cowell said: "In terms of the band, they've got enough hits now they can take some time off and do some other stuff they want to do.

"Then I hope they'll have a little bit of time apart and want to get back together again. It's a fun job, but it's absolutely their decision."

One Direction are in the midst of their On The Road Again world tour which is currently making its way around the US.