Zayn Malik has left One Direction's current world tour as a result of "stress".

A rep for the group confirmed the news today (March 19), with Malik en route back home to the UK.

The group are set to perform as a four-piece at upcoming gigs in Manila and Jakarta.

One Direction's rep said: "Zayn has been signed off with stress and is flying back to the UK to recuperate.

"The band wish him well and will continue with their performances in Manila and Jakarta."

Malik was this week plagued with rumours of cheating after being pictured getting close to a female fan.

The singer, who is engaged to Little Mix star Perrie Edwards, later took to Twitter to say:

"I'm 22 years old...I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there's a lot of jealous f**ks in this world I'm sorry for what it looks like."

One Direction are scheduled to take their On The Road Again tour to Manila on March 21 and 22 before playing one show in Jakarta on March 25.

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