Lulu: 'I completely relate to Zayn Malik'

Lulu says she "completely" understands Zayn Malik's decision to leave One Direction.

The singer quit the band recently to spend more time out of the limelight.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Lulu - who first landed a record deal when she was 15 - said that she relates to Malik's plight.

When asked if she felt pressure by becoming famous so young, the Scot replied:

"Well look at that kid Zayn! I was asked about him and I didn't…I'll tell you what happened. Someone called me up and said 'I've got terrible news! Brace yourself, brace yourself!' and I said: 'What, what, what, what?' 'Zayn has left!' and I laughed!

"Of course, the idiot was pulling my leg in a way, because how is it going to affect my life or the world in general? And then the next day, which was the day after the announcement, I heard that he left because he wanted to have a normal life, and my heart went out to him. I completely relate to it.

"First of all, it's difficult - schedules are maniacal, almost inhumane, nobody who's not done it can ever understand what comes with it, but it's also extremely lonely. And I - after many, many, many years - realised that's why Maurice Gibb and I got married. We figured we were in the same business, not consciously but subconsciously were in the same business - we had the same needs, we want to have a family - even though he was with his brothers.

"They would fight and argue, but they'd be on the road! It was not a great reason for getting married and that's probably why it didn't last, but it is a very lonely existence. Thousands of people screaming for you - it doesn't fill that hole in the soul."

Watch Lulu in action below: