Zayn Malik has quit One Direction. Singer is taking time out of spotlight to 'relax'Reuters
Zayn Malik has announced he has quit One Direction after five years to take time out of the spotlight.
The 22-year-old released a statement on 24 March explaining he has left the boy band after five years so he can "relax" and feel "normal" again. Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne will continue as a four-piece.
The news has come as a huge blow to Directioners around the world, who had been hoping to see the What Makes You Beautiful singer perform on the group's On The Road Again tour.
Bradford-born Malik has been a member of 1D since the group were formed during the 2010's series of ITV's The X Factor.
Through the world tours, screaming fans and controversy, Malik has been through it all. IBTimes UK takes a look at the singer's best One Direction moments in pictures.
Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson of One Direction attends the Very.co.uk Christmas Catwalk Show at Victoria House on November 24, 2010 in London, EnglandIan Gavan/Getty Images
Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan of One Direction attend a photo call during the X Factor press conference at the Connaught Hotel on December 9, 2010 in London, EnglandIan Gavan/Getty Images
Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles of One Direction attend day two of Jingle Bell Ball at O2 Arena on December 4, 2011 in London, EnglandTim Whitby/Getty Images
Singers Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne of One Direction accept the award for Best New Artist onstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards at Staples Center on September 6, 2012 in Los Angeles, CaliforniaKevin Winter/Getty Images
Zayn Malik of One Direction attends El Hormiguero TV show at Vertice Studio on October 31, 2012 in Madrid, SpainJuan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images
Zayn Malik attends a press conference for One Direction This Is Us at Big Sky Studios on August 19, 2013 in London, EnglandIan Gavan/Getty
Zayn Malik performs at iHeart RadioIan Gavan/Getty
One Direction celebrates after being awarded best British single during the Brits at the O2 Arena in London February 21, 2012REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
One Direction hold the awards they won for Best Pop Video and Most Share-Worthy Video backstage during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, September 6, 2012REUTERS/Danny Moloshok
Zayn Malik performs with his band One Direction on NBC's Today show in New York November 13, 2012REUTERS/Andrew Burton
One Direction performs at the Teen Choice Awards at the Gibson amphitheatre in Universal City, California August 11, 2013REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
One Direction arrives at the 42nd American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California November 23, 2014Danny Moloshok/Reuters
Zayn Malik of One Direction accepts the award for best new artist for the band during the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, September 6, 2012REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni
One Direction - Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayne Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Director Morgan Spurlock, pose for photographers during a photocall for their film One Direction; This is Us in London August 19 2013REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett
One Direction sing on ABC's Good Morning America inside Central Park in New York, November 26, 2013REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Harry Styles of British boy band One Direction arrive for the premiere of their documentary film This is Us in New York, August 26, 2013REUTERS/Lucas Jackson
