Simon Cowell believes One Direction showed human "strength" after news broke that Zayn Malik was leaving the group.

The singer quit the pop band in March in order to live a more normal life.

Speaking in a new interview with Good Morning Britain, One Direction label boss Cowell said that the four remaining members have done well to cope with the news.

"They're fine. They've showed their strength as human beings. When it happened, there was no warning. They were still doing these huge tours, and they dealt with it.

"They were upset and shocked, but they are fine with it."

One Direction will continue as a four-piece and a new album is already in the pipeline.

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Watch Simon Cowell being interviewed below: