Zayn Malik has said he did not make a 'single friend' for the five years he was a member of One Direction.

The singer, 25, told the December Issue of British Vogue he hasn't seen any of the members of the teen pop group in 'a long time' and that the 'relationships had broken apart' by the time he left the band in 2015.

He told the magazine: 'I have always been a bit like that, though - always a bit of an island. I don't like to confer with too many people.'

Lonely: Zayn Malik has said he did not make a 'single friend' for the five years he was a member of One Direction

'I ain't spoke to any of them for a long time, to be honest with you. That's just the way it is. There's things that happen and things that were said after I left. Snide things. Small things that I would never have expected.'

Speaking about his time in the chart-topping boyband, the British-born star added: 'We went from theatres, to arenas, to stadiums - there was never any sort of bridge between. Just boom, boom, boom.

'I guess that kind of progression to any mind - but especially when you're 17, 18 - it kind of affects you a little bit. People take it different ways - especially when there are five different personalities. The relationships had broken apart.'

Moving on: The singer, 25, told the December Issue of British Vogue he hasn't seen any of the former members of the teen pop group in 'a long time'

'That's just the way it is. People move on, people grow apart, people grow up.'

Zayn auditioned for the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010, singing Mario's Let Me Love You at the Manchester auditions.

He sailed through to the next round but his mum Trisha later admitted her son nearly 'chickened out.'

Interview: See the full feature in the December issue of Vogue, available on digital download and newsstands on Friday 9th November

Zayn was eliminated before the final round of the competition, but judges Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell teamed him up with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson to form a new boy band - who became one of the most successful acts in history.

During the bootcamp round Zayn was almost eliminated from the show for refusing to dance, with Simon Cowell eventually persuading him to return to the stage and finish the round.

One Direction finish in third place on X Factor and shortly afterwards, it was confirmed that the band had been signed by Cowell to a reported £2million Syco contract. Recording for their debut album began in January 2011.

Zayn was thought to be the most reluctant member of One Direction from the start.

Speaking to BBC News, Trisha Malik said: 'On the morning of the audition Zayn didn't want to go. He chickened out, saying: 'Can't I just leave it?''

Throwback: Zayn auditioned for the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010, singing Mario's Let Me Love You at the Manchester auditions. He sailed through to the next round but his mum Trisha later admitted her son nearly 'chickened out.'

History: Zayn was eliminated before the final round of the competition, but judges Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell teamed him up with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson to form a new boy band (pictured at Paris Fashion Week with girlfriend Gigi Hadid)

Coaxed into it, Zayn's mum said that he should see how it goes.

'He hated dancing but loved singing,' she recalled. 'He used to sing until three o'clock in the morning and I often used to have to ask him to turn it down.'

In a statement released to exclusively released to MailOnline at the time of the split, Zayn said: 'My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined.

'But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart.'

He continued: '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.

'I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.'

One Direction said in a second statement: 'We're really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future.

'The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends.

'The four of us will now continue. We're looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour.'

Split? One Direction continued as a foursome until January 2016, when they went on indefinite hiatus

Immensely proud: 'Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have grown very, very fond - and immensely proud - of him' Simon said of Zayn

Meanwhile, Simon Cowell - who masterminded One Direction - thanked Zayn for his commitment to the band.

He added: '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.

One Direction continued as a foursome until January 2016, when they went on indefinite hiatus.

They have since been working on solo projects, with rumours that they may reform at any point.

Earlier this summer, Liam Payne shared his hopes for the group getting back together for 'another great time' in an interview with Daily Star.

Mega bucks: The four-piece made a whopping £63million before tax, while their company made profits of £30.6million

The singer admitted, however, that their potential reunion won't happen for at least two years as he is preoccupied with his successful solo career.

Speaking on the prospective plans, the For You singer said: 'It's amazing that we're doing our own thing and then, hopefully one day soon, we get back together and have another great time of it, who knows?'

During his time as a member of One Direction, Zayn was engaged to fellow X Factor alum Perrie Edwards.

The singer split from the Little Mix starlet just months after leaving One Direction, and soon found love with supermodel Gigi Hadid.

The pair had since been in and on off relationship for the three years since.

Speaking about the US-born beauty, Zayn told Vogue: 'Everything is great. She's super-organised and I'm really not. It helps that she can get things together for me a little bit. I lean on her a lot.

See the full feature in the December issue of Vogue, available on digital download and newsstands on Friday 9th November.