Reactions to Zayn Malik’s 1D departure

One Direction fans dubbed ‘Directioners’ were left shocked and saddened by the unexpected departure of (former) group member Zayn Malik.

For those who don’t know, Zayn quit the band due to the strain and stress their hectic working schedules and fame have brought upon him explaining in a statement: "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".

[Check out the full story here…]

The social media sphere went into a frenzy of reactions mostly from heartbroken teenage girls who are now weeping at the very thought that One Direction are no longer a quintet.

Some Directioners even went as far as to blame Zayn’s fiancé Perrie Edwards for his exit.

Yes, things are changing for One Direction, and fans might be struggling to adapt.

Check out some of the fan reactions below:

First up, the good:

You know a man really loves a girl when he chose that one girl, over millions of others #ZaynMalik

— Theressa Mariano (@ThrsMrn) March 26, 2015

(The girl that’s being referred to is none other than Zayn’s fiancé Perrie Edwards.)

Once a Directioner always Directioner No matter what #AlwaysInOurHeartsZayn pic.twitter.com/ELZR0kM5wC

— I Love Niall (@WhatCraicNiall) March 26, 2015

Then the bad:

bring back my sunshine and let the skies brighten again. @zaynmalik #ZaynMalikPleaseComeBack #AlwaysInOurHeartsZayn pic.twitter.com/zUu0AokEQG

— i need you zayn 🙁 (@xclusiveharry) March 26, 2015

It’s so hard for us… But I can’t imagine how much worse it is for our boys #AlwaysInOurHeartsZayn#ZaynMalik pic.twitter.com/DGQkdwIhnG

— My Heros(@ForTheLoveOf_1D) March 26, 2015

IM SUPPOSED TO BE 80 WHEN THIS HAPPENS IM ONLY 16 #ModestWeHATEYou #AlwaysInOurHeartsZayn

— zaynmalik1D (@tornspaces) March 26, 2015

RIP to the last four years of my life They were definitely the best #AlwaysInOurHeartsZayn pic.twitter.com/mJvAFuIfLY

— i love u zayn (@stylesftzjm) March 25, 2015

…And now the ugly:

I hate to say this but I honestly feel Perrie coerced him into leaving the boys

— Ras (@p_hilophobic) March 25, 2015

I’m skipping class I hate school I hate my life I hate perrie edwards

— taylor (@taylormicaa) March 25, 2015

WHAT THE HELL HOW COULD ZAYN LEAVE HES CRUCIAL TO ONE DIRECTION ONE DIRECTION IS NOT ONE DIRECTION WITHOUT ZAYN

— Ras (@p_hilophobic) March 25, 2015

OKAY IM SORRY BUT ZAYN IS PROBABLY LEAVING ONE DIRECTION TO SAVE HIS REALITIONSHIP BUT PERRIE IS STILL IN LITTLE MIX LIKE NO SORRY

— j loves n (@criminalnialI) March 25, 2015

Dear Trisha Malik, Tell your son one last time to get out of bed and go smash it like you did before. #AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik

— zaynmalik1D (@statuslrh) March 26, 2015

Some fans couldn’t hold back the tears:

…even Harry Styles couldn’t hold it together after the band’s first performance as a quartet:

And lastly, more crying fans…