After having to drop off from the rest of the Asia leg of pop sensation One Direction‘s world tour last week due to fatigue, Zayn Malik has officially announced that he is no longer a part of the boy band. Malik has played an important role in the five-piece since their formation on The X Factor in 2010.

Rumors regarding the situation have been circulating over the past week. Fans have displayed an immense amount of concern as to what the tour stunt indicated. The band has finally decided to set things straight and confirm Malik’s decision to leave. The band states that the four remaining members will continue working on their fifth studio album due out in 2016.

Malik shares, “My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. 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.”

The band’s full statement can be found here.

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Dana Reandelar

If not hunched over her desk writing about music, Dana can be found binge-watching old episodes of Gilmore Girls or condensing long rants to 140 characters. She also writes for Idobi Radio, and is an Off The Record podcast contributor.

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