Music

The former boybander changes his Twitter handle from @zaynmalik1D to only @zaynmalik, and deletes link to the band's official website on his bio.

• May 2, 2015

AceShowbiz - Zayn Malik no longer wants to be associated with One Direction in any way. After announcing his departure from the group last March, the 22-year-old singer has now removed "1D" from his Twitter handle.

Zayn had been going by @zaynmalik1D on the micro-blogging site until Thursday, April 30, when he changed it into only @zaynmalik. He also deleted references to the boyband, like the link to One Direction's official website on his bio.

Is speech an extension to our thoughts or an image that we like to create x

— zaynmalik (@zaynmalik) April 30, 2015

Following the changes, he has only tweeted once. He wrote cryptically, "Is speech an extension to our thoughts or an image that we like to create x."

MARCH:HE LEFT THE BAND APRIL:HE FINALLY TWEETED NOW HE HAS CHANGED HIS NAME AND BIO #YouWillAlwaysBeZaynMalik1D pic.twitter.com/5XeLjZJBwo

— molly ��¢ï¿½��¥��¯��¸ï¿½�����°��¢ï¿½ï¿½������������*�����©�����©�����©�����¥ (@cuddlydorknjh) May 1, 2015

IM LEGIT CRYING RIGHT NOW THIS IS SO DEEP #YouWillAlwaysBeZaynMalik1D pic.twitter.com/Sm0SNlRSa1

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— THANK YOU LIAM ��� ��¬��ª��� ��¬ï¿½*�����· (@izaynielove) May 1, 2015

Heartbroken Directioners understandably found Zayn's decision to erase his boyband past difficult to cope with. They expressed their disappointment on Twitter and the hashtag "#YouWillAlwaysBeZaynMalik1D" began trending worldwide.

Always in our hearts. I hope you smile all the time love, it's been so long. #YouWillAlwaysBeZaynMalik1D pic.twitter.com/K4Dbj757E8

— zara (@dncsterlouis) May 1, 2015

Me after Zayn changed his name #YouWillAlwaysBeZaynMalik1D pic.twitter.com/ahgJ2Ytm3K

— Amy (@calpalcake) May 1, 2015

Zayn quit One Direction to be "a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight." He, however, has been rumored to be gearing up to launch a solo career.

Meanwhile, the remaining 1D members are currently working on their fifth album, their first without the singer, while taking a break from their massive world tour. The follow-up to last year's "FOUR" is scheduled to hit the stores later this year.