When Zayn Malik quit One Direction we cried so hard our eyes shrivelled up but if the singer listens to this amazing piece of advice we needn’t have shed so many tears – he’s already being encouraged to consider a reunion with the 1D boys by Justin Timberlake’s manager.
Music boss Johnny Wright, who has worked with the likes of *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys, says Zayn should never rule out getting back together with the band.
He told Billboard: “My advice to him would be to always leave an open door with the band, so that there’s time for him to develop and find himself, but always leave that door open so that he can come back.
“As for how he might come back, if that’s what he wants to do, it all comes down to the kind of record he decides to make.”
Less than 24 hours after announcing his departure from One Direction, Zayn was pictured heading into a London recording studio and he is rumoured to be planning a debut solo album release early next year.
Johnny added: “If he goes solo, I’d say: make a great record, be humble and put it in the work; keep your doors open, take the time you need and make sure that if you decide to come back that you’re coming back for the right reasons – not money or fame.”
Giving hope to Directioners, he continued: “I can’t really speak internally about the group, but from fans’ perspective it’s always sad when you invest yourself into a group and somebody leaves, but it’s not unheard of: Kevin [Richardson] left Backstreet Boys and then came back and the group went on.
“One Direction have been on such a roll for the last few years, and I can understand: you’re 22 years old, you’ve seen the world and played so many shows and you say, ‘Hey, I want to start living my life.’
“As far as them moving forward, the band is the band and as long as it continues to put on great shows and put out great music, I think the fans will be okay with it.”
Come back, Zayn!
GALLERY: Zayn Malik quits One Direction - here's how it happened
Zayn Malik quits One Direction - here's how it happened
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Zayn is spotted with a "mystery" blonde girl who ISN'T his fiancee Perrie Edwards while on tour in Thailand and Twitter goes into meltdown
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The "mystery blonde" is identified as Lauren Richardson from Essex, and things look cosy - though her mum insists she was "just posing for a snap" with Zayn
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As Twitter goes into meltdown over the photos, Zayn tweets: "I'm 22 years old... 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 x"
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Zayn then sensationally QUITS the One Direction tour. His publicist Simon Jones says: "Zayn has been signed off with stress and is flying back to the U.K. to recuperate."
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Perrie Edwards is seen leaving her house with an overnight bag hours after Zayn flies back into the UK - but she's still wearing her engagement ring
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Zayn's sister Waliyha, 16, urges fans to "pray" for her brother. “Don't worry guys, Zayn is going to be okay very soon,” she wrote. “All the stress has just gotten to him because of the rumours and hatred he has heard and received."
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Liam Payne infuriates fans by tweeting a photo of the band with "missing" Zayn...
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Zayn quits the band on 25 March. A statement reads: "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."
And a million Directioners' hearts break.