Zayn Malik Quits One Direction

Sorry, Directioners: it's the end of an era.

Zayn Malik has officially quit One Direction, leaving what it perhaps the biggest boy band in the world short one member.

"My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined," Malik said in a statement. "But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologise 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 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world."

For now, it appears that One Direction will continue to function as a foursome and will keep touring and producing albums for the time being.

"We're really sad to see Zayn go," the rest of the band members wrote on Facebook, "but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future. 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. We're looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour."
 
Naturally, there has been a lot of sadness, anger and vitriol from die-hard One Direction fans aimed at Malik. But for his part, he seems unapologetic.
 
"I'm 22 years old," he wrote on Twitter. "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."
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