Zayn Malik is said to have decided he wanted to leave One Direction months before announcing his departure today.
The boyband star revealed he was quitting the group this afternoon, leaving fans around the world heartbroken.
But he is said to have decided early this year he no longer wanted to commit to working with the band.
1D TOP STORIES
-
[Zayn Malik's mum speaks out after Zayn quits...
](planetradio.co.uk/heat/celebrity/news/zayn-malik-s-mum-trisha-speaks-quits-1d-tour/#.VRLnKWa0xP4)
A friend of the star told the Daily Mirror: “Zayn was adamant that this is it. At the start of the year, during rehearsals, he didn’t want to be there anymore.
“But then once the tour got going he really enjoyed himself.
“But ultimately, the fame side was just too much for him. He made this decision with the full support of his family and [fiancée] Perrie [Edwards], who are with him.
“He had a few days to rest and everyone thought he’d rejoin the band. But as the South Africa dates approached, he knew his heart would not be in it.”
He called fellow band members Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne this week to tell them he would not be coming back to work, shortly before they were due on stage in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The singer is said to have struggled with life in the public eye and said he wanted to take a break from the attention being in 1D brings.
Zayn hit the headlines last week when he appeared to be holding hands with a fan in Thailand despite being engaged to Little Mix star Perrie Edwards.
He decided to fly home after suffering from “stress” but today announced he was leaving the group.
He said: “My life with One Direction has been more than I could have ever imagined. But after five years, I feel it is the right time for me to leave.
“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 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.”
GALLERY: Zayn Malik quits One Direction - here's how it happened
Zayn Malik quits One Direction - here's how it happened
1 of 8zayn malik mystery blonde 1
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
2 of 8zayn malik mystery blonde 2
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
3 of 8AGoff_One_D_200813_9
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"
4 of 8STRESS
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."
5 of 8Goff_Cosmopolitan_A_2537047
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
6 of 8zayn-malik-sister
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."
7 of 8one-direction-liam-payne-zayn-malik-missing-picture
Liam Payne infuriates fans by tweeting a photo of the band with "missing" Zayn...
8 of 8Goff_1D_260813_2
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.