In a surprising turn of events, Zayn Malik appears to have rejoined the iconic boy band One Direction, marking a significant chapter more than a decade after his high-profile departure from the group.

Malik originally left the band in 2015 to embark on a solo career, a move that strained his relationships with fellow band members Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan. Despite the tensions that arose from his departure, recent developments suggest a reconciliation.

Following the tragic passing of Liam Payne last year, Zayn has reportedly reconnected with his former bandmates. This renewed connection is underscored by his reappointment as a business director of their shared enterprise, PPM Music Limited.

Previously, Zayn had his directorial role terminated on June 20, 2016. However, recent filings with Companies House confirm that he has resumed his position, joining Harry, Louis, and Niall in steering the company forward.

Liam Payne’s untimely death at the age of 31 occurred after a fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina. His passing brought the bandmates together for the first time in years, as they all attended his funeral.

Meanwhile, Zayn is gearing up for his inaugural Las Vegas residency set to start in January, a testament to his ongoing success as a solo artist even as he reconnects with his roots in One Direction.

Zayn Malik has reportedly rejoined One Direction, over a decade after sensationally quitting the band (pictured in 2014)

The singer quit the group back in 2015 to pursue a solo career, and relations between him and bandmates Harry Styles , Liam Payne , Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan became strained

A source told The Sun: ‘While heartbreaking, Liam’s passing has brought them together, it’s even more sad he was the biggest cheerleader of a reunion.

‘PPM was the original company they set up when they won the show. The name stands for Princess Park Manor, the private gated complex they were moved into when they won the show.

‘Since Liam’s passing the boys have been in contact.’

Alan McEvoy, who runs Live Wire Business Management, is also listed as involved in the company, and previously worked with One Direction as well as fellow X Factor stars Olly Murs and JLS. 

Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Zayn Malik and One Direction for comment.  

Rumours about a One Direction have been rife since it also emerged last month that Zayn and Louis signed a multi-million pound deal to travel the US whilst discussing their lives and reflect on memories from their days in the band.

Sources close to the production have revealed Zayn and Louis are likely to discuss the tragic death of their friend and band mate Liam.

It is believed his death following a balcony fall in Buenos Aires in October last year brought the band, which also consists of Niall Horan and Harry Styles, close again.

It’s thought that following Liam’s death last year, Zayn has been ‘in contact’ with the rest of the group, and he’s now again named as a business director on their company PPM Music Limited

An insider previously told The Sun: ‘This will be an absolutely huge show for Netflix and is guaranteed to whip 1D’s global army of fans into a frenzy.

‘Although the idea of British boyband members doing a show about travelling across America sounds random, most of them now have strong links Stateside.

‘And it’s likely to be a chance for some serious soul-searching and deep discussions about the incredible journey the group have already been on since they were formed on The X Factor 15 years ago.’ 

Zayn has lived in America permanently since 2018, while Louis devotes a large part of his time there thanks to his nine-year-old son with stylist Briana Jungwirth.

Louis and Zayn have become close again, and earlier this year Zayn gave a shoutout to Louis after he attended his Los Angeles concert at the Shrine Exposition Hall.

 Zayn’s relationship with his old bandmates became strained when he quit the band in March 2015.

He went on to say in the years that followed that the group grew ‘sick of each other’ and that he hadn’t stayed in touch with them much since leaving.

One Direction found superstardom after appearing on the X Factor in 2010 and went on to sell a whopping 70 million records worldwide.

They won almost 200 awards, including seven Brit Awards, four MTV Music Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, seven American Music Awards, and 28 Kids’ Choice Awards.