Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Niall Horan were just teenagers when Simon Cowell threw them together on The X Factor to form One Direction in 2010 in a move that would see them become one of the most successful boybands of all time.
But the hectic schedules and pressures of fame took their toll and on this exact day six years ago, Zayn walked away from the group, explaining that he needed to be a “normal 22-year-old".
His departure is said to have devastated his bandmates, with Liam branding it the 'worst time' but vowing: "I’m super sure us and Zayn will always remain the closest friends." Sadly, it wasn't to be.
Read more on mirror.co.uk