Zayn Malik Quits One Direction

Zayn Malik, 22, is now officially a former member of the boyband One Direction. In a heartfelt statement apologizing to his millions of fans around the world, Malik said he was doing "what feels right in my heart." In a statement to the press, he wrote: "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. 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."

In a public statement, One Direction as a group said: "We're really sad to see Zayn go, 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."

Zayn signed off from the group during the Asian leg of their "On the Road Again" concert tour. The last time he performed with One Direction was at their March 18 show at the AsiaWorld Arena in Hong Kong. He was no longer with them when they left for Manila for their scheduled concert at the SM Mall of Asia. Instead, he enplaned back to the UK in an effort to save his long-running relationship with his fiancee, Perrie Edwards, after photos of him apparently getting intimate with another woman surfaced on the tabloids and the Internet.

Simon Cowell who discovered the boy band following their stint at the 2010 The X Factor competition in a statement said: "I would like to say thank you to Zayn for everything he has done for One Direction. Since I first met Zayn in 2010, 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."