Zayn Malik's first solo track after quitting One Direction to feature on Naughty Boy album

Zayn Malik's first solo single will be featured on Naughty Boy's new album.

The music producer confirmed that the former One Direction singer has recorded a song for his album, which will be ready "in a couple of months".

Naughty Boy, whose real name is Shahid Khan, said fans would be "shocked" to hear the new track.

Speaking at The 60th Anniversary Ivor Novello Awards, Naughty Boy, said: "Zayn is definitely going to be on the album. I'm keeping it interesting. I'm an artist person and I'm drawn to proper singers and artists and to me Zayn is the epitome of a great artist.

"Our track is going to be ready in a couple of months ... You are going to be shocked by what he comes out with ... I feel that the last five years have the most important for him but I feel he has a future beyond that."

The La La La producer has been working with the former One Direction singer since he sensationally quit the British boy band mid-way through their world tour.

Their collaboration led to a Twitter spat with Malik's former band mate Louis Tomlinson after Naughty Boy posted a recording of Malik just as fans were coming to terms with his exit from the band.

Tomlinson lashed out at the producer for his insensitivity. The two were later involved in another war of words on social media after the One Direction singer made jibes at Naughty Boy, prompting Malik to intervene in his defence.

This week, in an interview with Capital Radio, Liam Payne revealed that the reason for Malik quitting the band was that he wanted to spend more time with his fiancée, Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards.

"Sometimes you have to move on because you're not enjoying what you're doing as much as you used to," Liam told host Lisa Snowdon. "He wanted to spend time with his family and his missus. That's cool with us."

Accepting an award at The recent Billboard awards the band also acknowledged the contribution of their "brother Zayn" to their global success.

Making his first public appearance after the split at The Asian Awards in March, Malik also paid tribute to his former band mates describing them as "four of the best guys".

Accepting an award for his Outstanding Contribution to Music, he said: "I'd like to take this moment to thank four of the best guys that I ever met whilst being in the band and doing all the amazing things that I did. Some of the things that we did will stay with me for the rest of my life and I'm thankful for that."