ZAYN Malik, formerly of boyband One Direction, turns 23 today.

The Bradford-born singer (pictured) first found fame on The X Factor in 2010 and then shot to global fame as a member of the group.

However, in March 2015 he quit the band, saying he wanted to live as a "normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight".

Zayn grew up in East Bowling, attending Lower Fields Primary School and Tong High School - the same school as England footballer Fabian Delph.

He began recording solo music in the second half of 2015, with an album due to be released some time soon this year, and on Sunday he teased fans with a short clip of a new song on the social media app, Snapchat.

In April last year he received the Outstanding Achievement in Music award at the 2015 British Asian Awards.