Liam Payne has paid tribute to fans for sticking by One Direction.

Singer Zayn Malik quit the hitmakers last week to spend time out of the spotlight.

The long-term future of the band was subsequently put in doubt despite the group vowing to continue as a four-piece.

Speaking on Twitter on Sunday (March 29) as One Direction resumed their world tour, Payne told fans that the group is not finished.

He said: "I can see a lot of people thanking us for staying but your the real Heros here thanks for not thinking it's finished (sic)."

Bandmate Niall Horan meanwhile also took to Twitter to state that plans for a new album are underway.

Follow us: @Pressparty on Twitter / Pressparty on Facebook.

Watch One Direction perform without Malik below: