Zayn Malik shows off his tattoos in brooding shirtless selfie… after fans call for him to end his engagement to Perrie Edwards with bizarre Twitter trend

He is currently enjoying some time off after leaving One Direction and it appears Zayn Malik is revelling in his freedom.

The 22-year-old singer posted a carefree selfie on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon which saw the star lounging in the sunshine.

Showing off his numerous tattoos as he posed shirtless, the British heartthrob could be seen squinting at the camera as he captioned the shot saying: ‘Need the sunnies today’.

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Chilling: Zayn Malik posted a carefree selfie on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon which saw the star lounging in the sunshine

Chilling: Zayn Malik posted a carefree selfie on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon which saw the star lounging in the sunshine

His latest post came as the less-than-pleasant hashtag, #CANCELYOURENGAGEMENTZAYN, was trending on Twitter.

Despite his relationship with Little Mix star Perrie Edwards seeming to be better than ever since Zayn left 1D, some fans felt the need to once again try and convince Zayn to end his engagement.

Ever since Zayn Malik confirmed he had quit One Direction in March, fans have placed the blame squarely on his Perrie.

Oh dear: His latest post came as the less-than-pleasant hashtag, #CANCELYOURENGAGEMENTZAYN, was trending on Twitter

Oh dear: His latest post came as the less-than-pleasant hashtag, #CANCELYOURENGAGEMENTZAYN, was trending on Twitter

Directioners hit out at the Little Mix singer by comparing her to Yoko Ono, the widow of the late John Lennon, who was infamously blamed for breaking up the Beatles.

But three months after 22-year-old Zayn's departure, Perrie's mother Debs is hitting back, telling the Daily Mirror newspaper: 'It was his decision and nothing to do with Perrie.'

Debs also revealed that while she already thinks of Zayn as her son, the couple have no plans to wed in the near future.

'They've got plenty of time,' she said. 'They're still young.'

United: Despite his relationship with Little Mix star Perrie Edwards seeming to be better than ever since Zayn left 1D, some fans felt the need to once again try and convince Zayn to end his engagement

United: Despite his relationship with Little Mix star Perrie Edwards seeming to be better than ever since Zayn left 1D, some fans felt the need to once again try and convince Zayn to end his engagement

Perrie recently admited that she is 'happier' following Zayn's decision to quit One Direction and stands by his decision because she can see it was the right thing for him.

In an interview with OK! magazine, she said: 'Zayn is his own person and makes his own decisions. Whatever he wanted to do during that time, I was going to support him 100 per cent.'

Asked if she's happier now, she said: 'Yes. I'm happy if he's happy.' The pretty blonde also said that despite popular belief, she didn't talk him into leaving.

She said: 'He's made it, the boys have supported him, I've supported him and his fans have been incredible. It's just the way it is.'

Meanwhile, One Direction has launched the action/1D manifesto for the future asking their fanbase of millions to describe the kind of world they want to live in by sharing powerful and emotive pieces of creative content, including film and photos using the #action1D hashtag on their social media channels.

The campaign is part of action/2015, a global citizens’ movement which is united by the idea that 2015 can be the year when the world can set the agenda to end extreme poverty, tackle inequality and climate change – but only if global people power compels World Leaders to make ambitious commitments at two crucial summits to be held in New York in September and Paris in December.

Working hard: Perrie and her Little Mix bandmates were seen arriving at BBC Breakfast studios before their appearance on the show on Monday

Working hard: Perrie and her Little Mix bandmates were seen arriving at BBC Breakfast studios before their appearance on the show on Monday

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