Tuesday, June 30, 2015 2:29pm ET by  
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Tom Parker knows why Zayn Malik quit 1D: 'You have an image to live up to'

Singer Tom Parker, who found fame as one fifth of The Wanted, has revealed that he empathises for Zayn Malik and understand why the heartthrob felt it was time to quit being in One Direction. 

Speaking to Hello! magazine, Parker explained that you have to fill the shoes of a character created by a record company when you're in a boyband and it can really wear you down:

"I don't think anyone realises how tough it is being in a manufactured boy band. When Zayn left 1D I totally understood why he couldn't handle it any more."

Referring to being a member of a popular boyband, Parker added that you have to put your hobbies aside and 'live up to an image' if you're part of a manufactured group, which is something he struggle with:

"It was quite a reputation to live up to. We did go out and drink in pubs. But the truth is, none of us was really wild - more a bunch of geeks. I'm fascinated by history, politics, food, that sort of thing, but we had an image to live up to."

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Watch an interview with Parker below: