Zayn Malik is reportedly on the verge of quitting One Direction after being signed off from the boyband’s latest tour of the Far East with stress.
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The 22-year-old, who is engaged to Little Mix star Perrie Edwards, flew back to the UK last week after photographs emerged of him with another woman in Thailand.
The singer is said to be no longer interested in continuing with the band and is in discussion with lawyers about leaving the group.
Zayn Malik
“At the moment he’s convinced he wants out. He is finding it all too much and wants to quit the group,” a source close to the singer told the Daily Star.
“But as it stands he’s not keen to continue.”
One Direction
Following his departure from the tour, a spokesman for the band told The Sun: "Zayn has signed off with stress and is flying back to the UK to recuperate. The band wish him well and will continue with their performances in Manila and Jakarta."
A source added: “Zayn finds it tougher than the rest of his band-mates dealing with fame.
“Having his every movement scrutinised causes great anxiety and the pictures which surfaced with the fan yesterday was the final straw.
“He did nothing wrong but the amount of criticism he received was simply too much. He needs to get away.
“The band’s management accept he needs some time off so he’s been sent home with their blessing.”
Despite management insisting that Zayn would rejoin his bandmates - Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan - before their Cape Town concert, on 28 March, it is now unclear if this will still be the case.
Still no word from the band or their management on these latest reports, but we’ll keep you updated.