In an exclusive interview with Dan Wootton in the Sun Newspaper today, Zayn says it didn't feel 'real' to him anymore, claiming he wanted to be a "normal 22 year old".
Zayn admitted he wasn't happy for a while, but had carried on to make other people, including his fans, happy.
"It is crazy and wild and a bit mad" he told the Sun, "but at the same time I've never felt more control in my life."
He added, "I'm only upset because I fell I may have let them down in some sort of way, that's the main thing that I don't want to happen".
"It's not that I've turned my back on them or anything, it's just that I just can't do that anymore because it's not real to me."
He says he's made the right decision and he's happy he did it now. he also denied the rift rumours with his other band mates and expects them to carry on for a long time to come.
Zayn also spoke highly of his fiancee Perrie Edwards who has supported him thoughout the difficult decision saying "She's a good girl".
Although we expect to see a lot more of Zayn, he says he's not rushing into a solo career and wants to 'chill' for a while first.
Simon Cowell supported Zayn earlier this week saying 'I would like to say thank you to Zayn for everything he has done for One Direction. Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have grown very, very fond - and immensely proud - of him. I have seen him grow in confidence and I am truly sorry to see him leave.'
An audio of Dan Wootton's interview with Zayn can be heard onine in Dan's Bizarre Column of the Sun.
