Zayn Malik leaves One Direction

Zayn Malik has left popular boy band One Direction.

The British group, which is now four, will continue their musical journey without him.

Malik, 22, has been in the headlines recently after he left their tour midway to be with his fiancee Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards amid rumours of cheating.

The allegations started after a photograph revealed Malik holding another woman around the waist.

In a statement, Malik said he felt it was the right time to make the move.

'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,' he said in a statement released by One Direction on social media.

'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.'

The band's remaining members are Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. They will record their fifth album this year.

"We're really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future. The past five years have been beyond amazing -- we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends.

"The four of us will now continue. We're looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour," the band, adored by millions of teenage fans, said in a statement.

Simon Cowell, who discovered the boyband on talent show The X Factor, said: "I would like to say thank you to Zayn for everything he has done for One Direction."

Photograph: Jason Merritt/Getty Images