People around Zayn Malik feel they have been "misled", after the singer announced earlier this week he was quitting One Direction for good in a bid to become "a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight". Despite those claims, he was yesterday spotted heading into a recording studio, leading people around the youngster feeling confused about his real reasons behind quitting the band.

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik

A source close to the band - which now consists of Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan - said: "He told everyone in the band and management that he wants to live a normal life and the next thing you know he's going into music studios and doing interviews with tabloids."

Since quitting the group, Zayn has given an extensive interview to The Sun newspaper, prompting speculation he may have had other reasons for leaving the band than those he's suggested.

The source told PEOPLE: "Everyone feels a bit misled and thinks he was lying about wanting to live a normal life."

The insider said people around the band feel Zayn has "played" them, adding: "Louis and Zayn are friends and will talk but the rest probably won't."