Zayn Malik Quits One Direction: Directioners Share Their Distress On Twitter Following Singer's Decision To Leave 1D

It’s official - Zayn Malik has quit One Direction. And Twitter is having a bit of a breakdown.

The singer has decided to leave the band midway through their ‘On Their Road Again’ tour, leaving Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne to continue as a four-piece.

READ MORE:

• Full Report: Zayn Malik Shares His Reasons For Quitting 1D

• 21 Reasons Why We'll Miss Zayn

As you’d expect, thousands of fans have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on the matter and many are… well, nothing short of totally distraught.

@zaynmalik zayn you can't leave the group :( pleaseeee this is only a struggle, please hold on to us, to the lads :(

— Alliah Gandi (@alliahshaye) March 25, 2015

@zaynmalik I AM GOING TO TAKE A NAP PLEASE DONT WAKE ME UP EVER AGAIN #AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik

— Aditi ✡ (@damonsaloutore) March 25, 2015

@zaynmalik this can't be real zayn are you serious

— kaitlin♡ॐ (@kaiiixo) March 25, 2015

@zaynmalik Zayn Thats not true..say that this is a lie..it was a fucking joke right YOU'RE NOT LEAVING DONT YOU

— Nessy Scarlett (@SakuraxxMoments) March 25, 2015

@zaynmalik ❤️❤️ ❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bHeuPPkXkp

— forever.1D (@VickBerezina) March 25, 2015

THE WHOLE FANDOM IS CRYING @zaynmalik #THANKYOUZAYN I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

— CJ (@chrizellejude) March 25, 2015

@zaynmalik WHY WOUKD U DO THIS TO US

— m ! (@kittxnhes) March 25, 2015

NO NO NO IT CANT B REAL NO!!! WITHOUT @zaynmalik IT CANT BE ONE DIRECTION IT JUST CANT

— Juju Horan (@juju1DHoran) March 25, 2015

@zaynmalik TELL ME THIS IS AN EARLY APRIL FOOLS JOKE

— . (@HarrysSoreAnal) March 25, 2015

As if @zaynmalik has left @onedirection

— Daisy Davies (@daisydaisyX) March 25, 2015

THIS ID SO SUDDEN WYT IS THUS WHAT @ZAYNMALIK WHAT ARETYU DUOING ILYSM ABD RESOECT YOUR DECISION BUT WHAT

— boots || bio (@marriedlwt) March 25, 2015

Although one person did put forward an interesting idea…

Apparently Zayn Malik has left Top Gear and Jeremy Clarkson has joined 1 Direction.

— Mike King (@mikekingphoto) March 25, 2015

The news was confirmed on Facebook on Wednesday afternoon, and Zayn’s section of the band's 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. 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. 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."

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER