Zayn Malik will not be returning to the British boy band One Direction, two insiders with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.
The confirmation of his status with the band comes despite widespread social-media frenzy by fans speculating on his possible return following his very public exit in March.
Over the weekend, there was widespread speculation by 1D fans on social media that the 22-year-old’s biographical profile allegedly had been reposted on the group’s official website.
Some also fans claimed that Malik’s March 25 goodbye post on his personal Facebook page was removed around the same time that his bio page reappeared on 1D’s site. Others asserted that his bio page had never been removed from the site.
Soon, #ZaynIsComingBack became a trending topic on Twitter.
Though there are no plans at this time for Malik to return, it has been publicly noted by the four remaining 1D members as well as by manager Simon Cowell that he has as an open invitation to return to the group in the future.