Sorry Directioners! 1D heart throb Zayn Malik has announced that he is to leave the chart topping group after five years with the band.

According to a post uploaded to One Direction’s official Facebook page this afternoon, Zayn has decided to part with his bandmates Harry, Liam, Niall and Louis. Zayn has been with the band since they formed on The X Factor in 2010.

The remaining members will be continuing as a four piece, and according to Simon Cowell are “hugely excited about the future of the band”.

In the five years with the band, Zayn and the rest of the band have released four albums and have toured the world.

Recent reports suggest that Zayn may soon be going solo, as he has been reportedly collaborating with various producers and musicians.

UK producer Naughty Boy, real name Shahid Khan, confirmed to The Sun that he has been working with the former boybander. “I can’t deny the fact that we have made music together,” he said. “Zayn is going to feature on my next album.”