Zayn Malik "One Direction" Rumors: Ex-Member's Departure No Surprise- Was Planned a Year Ago

Zayn Malik has long been planning to take his exit from the famous British-Irish band One Direction, a close pal and another X-Factor alumni, Oritse Williams said.

In an interview with Mirror, the 28-year old former JLS member claimed that he had spoken with Zayn on a trip to Las Vegas on September last year. In that conversation, the former 1D member talk about his dilemma to leave the band or not.

"Zayn spoke to me when we were together in Vegas last year. Niall did too. Zayn was talking to me in confidence. I told him he had a great run and to enjoy it. They are very, very blessed guys.

"It's a very special thing and not a lot of artists show gratitude for that. But I told him to be himself and to keep going," the singer said.

Zayn's decision of leaving 1D has been reinforced when issues about his personal life hit the tabloids particularly about rumors that he had been partying with a blonde in Thailand while being engaged to Little Mix Star, Perrie Edwards making him want to be a 'normal 22 year old.'

It is crazy and wild and a bit mad. But at the same time I've never felt more in control in my life. And I feel like I'm doing what's right -- right by myself and right by the boys, so I feel good," the popstar said in an interview with People as mentioned in a report from Design and Trend.

In the interview, Malik also denied rumors that his decision is influenced by friction with his bandmates Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne.

"[It] couldn't be more wrong. My band has been really supportive. They've been cool about it. And they understand that, you know, it's not real to me anymore," he said.

Meanwhile, British tabloid Mail Online wanted to contest Oritse Williams statement saying that Zayn's spokesperson told them that the JLS star may have other reasons why he has mentioned Mailk.

"Oritse is trying to launch a solo career, so therefore needs to be in the papers with stories about other celebrities," the spokesperson said.