Daily Mail London-Zayn Malik has pulled out of the Capital Summertime Ball at the last minute, due to anxiety.
Writing to fans on Instagram, the former One Direction star said: ‘Unfortunately my anxiety that has haunted me throughout the last few months around live performances has gotten the better of me.
‘With the magnitude of the event I have suffered the worst anxiety of my career,’ the 23-year-old continued, cancelling the gig one and a half hours after he was due on stage.
The apologetic post concluded: ‘I cannot apologise enough but I want to be honest with everyone who has patiently waited to see me, I promise I will do my best to make this up to everybody I’ve let down today. I know those who suffer anxiety will understand and I hope those who don’t can empathises with my situation.’
Zayn flew into London on Friday night from New York City, where he was last seen, with his model girlfriend Gigi Hadid. He was due on the stage at Wembley Stadium in London at 8pm, as part of a schedule that also featured girlband Little Mix, of which his ex-fiance Perrie Edwards is a member. But the 23-year-old was forced to explain why he could not perform at around 9.30pm on the evening of the gig.
The post began: ‘To all those people who have been waiting to see me perform at the Capital Summertime Ball today. I flew into the UK last night to appear in my home country in front of my family, friends, and most importantly my UK fans.’
Zayn notably quit international chart-topping band One Direction in March 2015, signing off from the five-piece band’s One The Road Again tour mid-way through. He said at the time: ‘I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.’
Bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Liam Payne were forced to go on without their fifth member and went on to release a fifth album Made in the A.M without him.
The heartthrob was always the most reluctant member of the band, who was formed as solo artists into a group by Simon Cowell on the X Factor in 2010. He officially went solo in almost a year after his shock departure from the band, releasing Pillowtalk from his debut album Mind Of Mine.
Since then, the solo musician has kept up a regular schedule of performances, including his most recent at 102.7 KIIS FM’s Wango Tango 2016 at StubHub Center, California. He was also a special guest at Thursday night’s amfAR Inspiration Gala and was even asked to present an award, but this was the last time he made a public appearance.
His personal life has received extra attention in the last week, too, since he and girlfriend of seven months Gigi appeared to call it quits. It was previously understood that they were having problems such as ‘communication and getting along,’ according to E! News but many believed they quickly reconciled.
Nevertheless, Gigi and Zayn officially reunited only last night when she appeared to prop him up outside her Manhattan apartment. The Victoria’s Secret Angel kept a very firm grip over her boyfriend, appearing to show defiance in the face of split rumours but, on reflection, more likely acting as a support to her fragile other half.