One Direction superstar Zayn Malik has admitted that if the band hadn't been created he would have gone to university to pursue a degree in English literature.

During an interview with The Sun newspaper, the heartthrob confessed that his role in the group and their global success means that he doesn't even have time to pick up a book let alone study for a qualification:

"If I wasn't doing this, I'd be at uni (sic). I wanted to, and still quite want to, do an English degree. It's frustrating because I don't get any time to read on tour."

Malik also opened up about his relationship with Little Mix beauty Perrie Edwards and joked that she was shocked to discover that he had her likeness tattooed onto his arm:

"Of course not. It's not a direct portrait but it's all the things I like about her. I didn't tell her before I had it done and just surprised her with it when I came back from the states one day. She was shocked at first but loves it now. She thinks I'm crazy, like everyone else does. To be fair, I am a little bit crazy... I'm happy to be labelled the crazy one of the group."

Meanwhile, the lads are currently in London's Leicester Square for the premiere of their debut feature film, 'This Is Us' (August 20).