Simon Cowell didn't try to talk Zayn Malik out of leaving One Direction

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/32242714

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Simon Cowell has told Newsbeat that he didn't try to talk Zayn Malik out of leaving One Direction.

The singer announced he was quitting the group two weeks ago.

Cowell told Newsbeat: "I knew for a while he was thinking about, you know, the future.

"It did come as a bit of a shock, but I have to look after him and look after the boys. If somebody doesn't want to do something you shouldn't make them do it."

The rest of One Direction have insisted they are not splitting up and Simon says they're in good spirits.

"Interestingly, with the guys, within days, once they got over the shock they were like united, strong.

"They put on some incredible shows afterwards. The future's bright, I think."

A solo track of Zayn was shared online by producer Naughty Boy briefly last week before being taken down.

One Direction have a contract with Simon Cowell's record label Syco, which is part of Sony.

Speaking at the Britain's Got Talent launch, he confirmed that Zayn Malik is still under his wing.

He said: "As long as the boys want it - and I think they do - they'll carry on being as successful as ever, and Zayn will have a great career as well."

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