One Direction member Zayn Malik has decided to quit the chart-topping boy band.
According to a Facebook post published Wednesday morning, remaining members Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson will carry on as 1D, and "look forward to the forthcoming concerts of their world tour."
"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," Malik said in a statement. "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 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight," the singer continued. "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."
As for the band that formed after auditioning as solo artists for Simon Cowell's UK reality competition series "The X Factor," they "respect" Malik's decision.
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"We're really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future," One Direction said in a joint statement. "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."
