'His heart wasn't in it': Niall Horan insists Zayn Malik's departure from One Direction has made the group stronger
Fans were left fearing for the future of One Direction when Zayn Malik sensationally left the group in March.
Yet Niall Horan told Ireland's 2FM radio station it was the right decision because it was growing obvious Zayn wasn't happy.
He now admitted that the group have grown closer together following the 22-year-old's departure - after Zayn left in a bid to live 'a normal life'.
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Brought together: Niall Horan told Ireland's 2FM radio station that the group have grown closer together after the 22-year-old left in a bid to live 'a normal life'
The Irish heartthrob, also 22, was quick to insist their was no bad blood between Zayn and the remaining members, which includes Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne.
Niall, who found fame on The X Factor in 2010 when One Direction were formed, spoke candidly about Zayn's departure, reported the Goss.ie.
He was quick to explain that his bandmate had fallen out of love with the group and after 'a few conversations' he made his decision to leave.
Niall said: 'He made that decision and he's happy now, we're happy and everything's worked out. It's actually brought us, the rest of us, closer together.'
Going rogue: The Irish heartthrob, also 22, was quick to insist their was no bad blood between Zayn and the remaining members, which also includes Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne
He continued: 'Towards the end you could see he wasn't enjoying it as much, his heart wasn't in it as much.
'There was never any arguments or disagreements, or anything like that, I think he just fell out of love with it in the end.
'He had a couple of conversations where he had to make a few decisions I guess... if your heart's not in it you shouldn't really do it.'
When five-become-four: Niall, who found fame on The X Factor in 2010 when One Direction were formed, spoke candidly about Zayn's departure
Niall's comments come just days after his bandmate Liam Payne opened up about Zayn on Good Morning Britain.
He told Kate Garraway: 'One Direction was never really Zayn's kind of bag, if you know what I mean. His taste in music was a bit different, and I guess that's kind of what drove him to do what he did in the end, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
'Everyone's come out fine from it, thanks to our beautiful fans. And he's off doing what he loves as well, so both parties are winners in the end of a disaster of a situation. It's all good.'
Heartbroken fans: The group has been diminished in size since Zayn (centre) left earlier this year
Niall is clearly extremely excited about the group's forthcoming hiatus - a well-deserved break after their gruelling On The Road Again World Tour, which kicked off in March and wraps up at the end of this month.
The pop star revealed his plans for the break - where he intends to spend more time in his native Ireland.
He said: '[A break] was a good call for us at the time, we've been hammering it out there for five years, five albums, five tours. Sometimes when you stop it's like 'woh' and I think this is a good time for it. We're at a good age where we can just stop for a minute, take a little break and come back to it in say a year's time.
Rocking out: Niall is getting ready to mellow out as the band head for their hiatus
'It's going to be nice...like the simple things of just going home. I've been home once since Christmas. It's going to be nice to go home and see everyone a little bit more.'
'I want to do a bit of travelling (when I'm off) and go to the places that I haven't seen. We've been talking about renting a cottage somewhere in the country of Ireland for about three and a half years - or get a caravan and just go around the coast of Ireland.'
He also revealed he wants to hone his golf skills, saying: 'By the end of next year I'd love to be a low single-figures golfer.'
Ready for a break: He also revealed he wants to hone his golf skills, saying: 'By the end of next year I'd love to be a low single-figures golfer.'
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