One Direction pin-up Zayn Malik has rushed home from the US after learning of a death in his family.

The singing sensation and bandmates Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan were in the midst of supporting Big Time Rush on their North American tour when he found out the news.

Styles posted on Twitter: "Zayn has suffered a loss in his family & has had to go home for a few days so won't be at our next shows in the US...

"...Our thoughts are with him and his family at this sad time."

It has since been reported by Metro that it was his aunt that had died.

Last week One Direction achieved the highest US chart debut for a UK group since The Verve thirteen years ago.

Last night they were "awarded" the Worst Band accolade at the NME Awards.

This'll lighten the mood... 1D as Teletubbies