One Direction, the record-breaking boy band, have confirmed Zayn Malik has left the pop group in order to be “a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time”.

Niall Horan from Mullingar, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson will continue as a four-piece for their forthcoming world tour and fifth album.

The band emerged from The X Factor television show in 2010 and established themselves as one of the world's most successful groups.

They have been as popular in Ireland as elsewhere, selling out three nights in Croke Park last summer when they performed for 240,000 fans. They are due to play in the 3 Arena in Dublin on October 16th and 17th as part of their On The Road Again Tour.

Some Irish fans were clearly left bereft as the hashtag #AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik became the number one trending topic in Ireland on Twitter soon after the announcement of Malik’s departure.

Others, however, couldn’t help thinking that a reunion tour might be a moneyspinner some time in the future.

Malik said in his statement: “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.”

Speculation about his departure developed last week after a spokesperson for the band announced he was officially signed off the current tour in Asia owing to “stress”.

The rest of the band said that they "totally respect his decision" to leave and "send him all our love for the future". – (Additional reporting Guardian service)