Zayn Malik returns to Twitter: Former One Direction star thanks fans for support after quitting band

Weeks after dramatically quitting One Direction, Zayn Malik has finally returned to Twitter, thanking his loyal fans for their support over the difficult period.

The 22-year-old had not posted anything on his Twitter account since 18 March when he denied claims that he had cheated on his fiancee Perrie Edwards. Returning to the spotlight, he told his followers:

The 1D star also thanked his former One Direction band mates at the Asian Awards 2015 on 17 April where he was presented with the outstanding contribution to music accolade.

During his acceptance speech, Malik said: "I'm not really a guy for many words normally. I have to say thank you for this. This is an amazing evening and I'm massively honoured to be here tonight, it's incredibly humbling to accept an award on the same stage as some people I've looked up to my entire life.

"Tonight's about thanks. I wanna thank God for allowing me to be able to do what my dreams are. I'd like to thank my mum and dad for making me Asian."

Referring to Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan, the Bradford-born singer added: "To have an effect on the Asian community is a massive honour and I'd also like to take this moment to thank four of the best guys that I ever met, everything I've done with them will stay with me for the rest of my life. I thank you for that."

Accompanying Malik on his first official public appearance since quitting the band was his mother Trisha Malik and Naughty Boy, the producer who is reportedly helping to launch the singer's solo career.

In March, the Story Of My Life singer was forced to deny that he had cheated on Little Mix singer Edwards after photos emerged of him holding hands in Thailand with holidaymaker Lauren Richardson.

Malik tweeted: "I'm 22 years old... I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there's a lot of jealous f***s in this world I'm sorry for what it looks like." The couple are still going strong and recently enjoyed a holiday in Cannes, France.