Zayn Malik thanks supporters in first tweets since leaving One Direction

For 32 days Zayn Malik has held his silence on social media site Twitter, but on Monday he finally sent a message to his nearly 15 million followers. The 22-year-old gave thanks to people who have supported him as he made the tough decision to leave the chart-topping band One Direction after five years.

"Wanna say thanks to everyone that's been there for me over the last few weeks, love you all.. you know who you are x," he wrote on Monday afternoon.

Wanna say thanks to everyone that's been there for me over the last few weeks, love you all.. you know who you are x

— zaynmalik1D (@zaynmalik) April 20, 2015

The x is a kiss by the way ha it's not a mystery .. 😉 sorry to any confused ... 😝

— zaynmalik1D (@zaynmalik) April 20, 2015

Proving that he is happy and relaxed over his choice to exit the band, he later added a jokey message: "The x is a kiss by the way ha it's not a mystery ..sorry to any confused ..."

After his dramatic departure from the band on 25 March, the remaining four band members kept their silence over his exit, with Liam Payne later sending a long message to fans over Twitter, saying: "When we very 1st became successful we all agreed that one direction had become much bigger than each individual member...

"That's why I feel like right now it's ok to be sad and upset but I do ask everyone who is a fan of us to please keep ur faith in us I'm sure there's a lot more to come all love, Liam."

Zayn Malik and his mother Trisha in April

Zayn's ex-girlfriend and fellow The X Factor contestant Rebecca Ferguson came out in support of Zayn, admitting during an appearance on Good Morning Britain: "I think it looks to me like he has done the best thing for him really and he's kind of doing what makes him happy... You've got to follow your heart, I think, with life."

The tweets comes several days after Zayn made his first public appearance, attending the Asian Awards in London.

Sporting newly-shorn hair, and a new nose stud, Zayn looked smart and stylish in crisp navy suit and tie, and the former One Direction heart-throb couldn't keep the smile off his face as he walked the red carpet with his mum, Trisha, by his side.