Zayn one direction leaving

One Direction and Zayn Malik are headed in different directions. Malik announced that he is leaving the group via the boy band's official Facebook Wednesday afternoon. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologize 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 year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight," he said.

Where is zayn malik now

Horan, Payne, Styles and Tomlinson will continue as a four-piece band and said they will honor their remaining world tour dates. The quartet will also record their fifth album, "due to be released later this year," without Malik's involvement. The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends.

The four of us will now continue," the four singers said in a statement. Simon Cowell , who formed the group on The X Factor in , also issued a statement. Since I first met Zayn in , I have grown very, very fond—and immensely proud—of him. I have seen him grow in confidence and I am truly sorry to see him leave. As for One Direction, fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band.

Less than a week ago, Malik announced he would not be performing with the group in Manila and Jakarta. After being "signed off with stress," he returned home to England. The pop star denied the rumors on Wednesday, tweeting, "I'm 22 years old I love a girl named Perrie Edwards.