Zayn Malik has spoken out for the first time about his decision to leave One Direction.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Zayn said he felt he had let the fans down, but it was the right decision for him, and the rumours about One Direction splitting "couldn't be more wrong" - the band would continue.
"I feel like I've let the fans down but I can't do this anymore. It is crazy and wild and a bit mad but, at the same time, I've never felt more in control in my life" he said.
"And I feel like I'm doing what's right - right by myself and right by the boys, so I feel good."
Zayn also revealed that the decision had been a long time coming - he hadn't been happy in the band for a while:
"You know, I did try to do something that I wasn't happy doing for a while, for the sake of maybe other people's happiness...And that was mainly the fans. And I only ever tried to do it for the fans, and it was only ever for them.
"I'm only upset (because) I feel like I may have let them down in some sort of way. It's not that I've turned my back on them or anything, it's just that I just can't do that anymore because it's not real to me."
Malik added that there was no love lost between the rest of the band - who had all been uber supportive:
"My band has been really supportive. They've been really cool about it. And they understand that, you know, it's not real to me anymore."
He then revealed what his plans were now he's left - he's going to take some time to chill out:
"I'm just going to chill man...I'm just going to be me for a while."