Zayn Malik usually leads a notoriously private life, but in his new autobiography - aptly named Zayn - the star has opened up about his past battle with a possible eating disorder. The 23-year-old revealed that seeing his pictures during his time with One Direction made him realise how "ill" he really was.
"When I look back at images of myself from around November 2014, I can see how ill I was," he wrote in quotes obtained by The Sun. "Something I've never talked about in public before, but which I have come to terms with since leaving the band, is that I was suffering from an eating disorder.
"It wasn't as though I had any concerns about my weight or anything like that. I'd just go for days - sometimes two or three days straight - without eating anything at all. It got quite serious, although at the time I didn't recognise it for what it was."
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Zayn Malik has opened up about his past battle with a possible eating disorder
The British star - who found fame with One Direction on The X Factor in 2010 - shared that he is in a much better place now, and will always be grateful for his time with the pop group.
"I'm massively grateful for the opportunity to be in that group," he explained, before adding: "What you've got to understand is that none of us really had much say in the music."
"When I look back at images of myself from around November 2014, I can see how ill I was," he wrote in his book
Since leaving the band in March 2015, Zayn has been focusing on his solo career. But the singer's work was hindered after he pulled out of various gigs around the world due to "anxiety".
Earlier this year, he released a statement which read: "Dear Fans I have been working over the last three months to overcome my extreme anxiety around major live solo performances. I feel I am making progress but I have today acknowledged that I do not feel sufficiently confident to move forward with the planned show in Dubai in October.
"I am assured that all tickets will be refunded. I am truly sorry to disappoint you. I hope to see you all soon. Thank you to all my fans who support me globally. With love and respect always, Zayn."