Reality sinks in for 1D fans that the band is now a foursome.
It's a sad day for One Direction fans.
After Zayn Malik suddenly left the band “to be a normal 22-year-old,” the first official photo of the boys has been released – and, well, you’re gonna wanna sit down for this.
WATCH: Zayn Malik Breaks Silence: I Feel Like I Let One Direction Fans Down
The picture was posted on One Direction’s management site, and though Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan are all present, there’s one glaring omission: Zayn.
“One Direction are Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan,” the site says. Even the boys, who can’t even muster a smile for the camera, appear sour about the situation.
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In a recent interview with U.K. paper The Sun, Liam acknowledged how bummed the band is over Zayn’s exit: “It’s been a tough few weeks, probably the toughest since the band was formed five years ago. 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.”
The light at the end of the tunnel for One Direction fans? A new album. According to their management site, “The band started working on their fifth studio album set to be released later in the year.”
Watch the first time Zayn tried to quit One Direction, back in 2010: