Zayn Malik makes rare comment about One Direction leaving fans in shock

Zayn Malik has made a rare comment about One Direction while touring in America.

It's almost a decade since Zayn left One Direction, with the 32-year-old departing the band after five years.

At the time, he shared a statement, which read: "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."

Zayn has since gone on to carve his own solo music career and is currently in the middle of his 'Stairway to the Sky' tour, where he's been performing in Washington DC.

You can never underestimate the enthusiasm of One Direction fans, and Zayn only had to utter the band's name before the crowd erupted into huge cheers.

"Did you like that one?" he said. "Maybe I’ll mix it up at some point, maybe a 1D song in there or something."

Seemingly taken aback at the crowd's reaction, Zayn quickly added: "Don’t get excited, not tonight! Sorry, I didn’t mean to tease you like [that] it’s not tonight."

Earlier this year, the band sadly lost Liam Payne, after he fell from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Following his bandmate's passing, Zayn wrote in a statement: "Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.

"I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.

"When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.

"Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f**ks about telling people when they were wrong."

Zayn then says the two sometimes 'butted heads because of this', however, he 'always secretly respected you for it'.

He added: "When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.

"I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next."

Earlier this month, the cause of Liam's death was confirmed at a UK inquest as 'polytrauma', which refers to multiple traumatic injuries.