Ringo Starr on Zayn Malik's decision to leave One Direction: 'Maybe now they'll be going in the right direction'

Former Beatles drummer claimed he had nothing further to add on the situation

Ringo Starr has spoken about Zayn Malik's decision to leave One Direction (Reuters)

Ringo Starr has possibly stirred the pot as the dust begins to settle over Zayn Malik’s decision to leave pop group One Direction last week.

The 71-year-old Beatles drummer told ITV’s Good Morning Britain that he hoped with Malik’s departure “maybe now they’ll be going in the right direction.”

Starr added that even at the iconic pop group’s most famous they never had to contend with the kind of pressure faced by the band from their millions of fans.

The drummer, real name Richard Starkey Jr., joined the Beatles in 1962 and performed around the world with the group during the ‘Beatlemannia’ period. But, the performer said, “the pressure is so much heavier now."

"We had the pressure, now you can't go anywhere," he continued.

"Everyone has a camera. My only line about One Direction now that there's been a change, is maybe now they'll be going in the right direction," he added.

Zayn flew home from One Direction's World Tour earlier this month due to stress (Getty) (Getty Images)

Zayn Malik, the fifth member of boy band One Direction, formed in 2010 on British reality show the X Factor, quit the band last week, citing a need to be a “normal” 22-year-old.

The drummer had spoken about One Direction immediately following the split.

In an interview with Entertainment Online, he commented that the Beatles were under similar pressures at the height of their fame, “but compared to them, we were on holiday.”

He continued that the group - himself, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison – would go on holiday together in a manner that would be impossible for the five members of One Direction.

Since Malik’s decision the band have continued performing, presenting a united face towards rumours that Malik may have left the group in order to pursue a solo career.