One Direction 'gutted' after Zayn Malik departure but remain 'stronger than ever'

The band gave their first interview since Zayn left the group

One Direction before the departure of Zayn Malik (Getty Images)

It’s been a couple of rocky weeks for Directioners after Zayn Malik left the pop group last month.

Now in their first interview since Zayn’s departure the band have admitted that they are “gutted” about losing him but have vowed to “carry on stronger than ever”.

Speaking in Dubai as they embarked on the Middle East leg of their On The Road Again Tour, band member Liam Payne said that the past fortnight had “probably the toughest” since One Direction was formed five years ago for X Factor.

“We’re gutted that Zayn chose to leave, but now after a few performances as a four piece, we’re feeling confident and are determined to carry on stronger than ever,” Liam told The Sun.

While Louis Tomlinson added that the remaining members were a “100 per cent committed to staying in One Direction”, saying that the band have “so much more we still want to achieve”.

Last week Niall Horan revealed that the group were already working on the new and as yet untitled album. He broke the news to his 21.9 million followers on Twitter, “Had a sit down last night with the label, started organising our writing sessions for the next album! F**k yeaaaahhhh! Can't wait!”

Zayn left One Direction on 25 March this year after initially being signed off for stress for a week mid-way through the tour.

In a statement at the time he said. “I feel like I’m doing what’s right — right by myself and right by the boys, so I feel good.”

He admitted that he “wasn’t happy” for a while but was continuing for the sake of the group.

“It’s not that I’ve turned my back on them or anything, it’s just that I just can’t do that anymore because it’s not real to me,” he explained.

Zayn flew home from One Direction's World Tour in March due to stress (Getty) (Getty Images)

Zayn released his first solo single “I Won’t Mind” earlier this week. The track was produced by Naughty Boy, who shared it on Soundcloud with the message "let the music do the talking. there is nothing but love for what was left behind. thats why we don't mind. ;) #2016 #zaughty #zindabad".

“I Won’t Mind” got a mixed reaction on social media with some people praising it while 1D fans called for Zayn to return to the boy band.

But Directioners should not lose hope. The 22-year-old singer indicated that the door has been left open for him if he wants go back to the band in the future.