Battling demons. Zayn Malik pulled out of a U.K. concert appearance on Saturday, June 11, due to anxiety.
"To all those people who have been waiting to see me perform at the Capital Summertime Ball today," the former One Direction singer wrote in a Twitter message. "I flew into the U.K. last night to appear in my home country in front of my family, friends, and most importantly my U.K. fans."
"Unfortunately my anxiety that has haunted me throughout the last few months around live performances has gotten the better of me … with the magnitude of the event, I have suffered the worst anxiety of my career," he continued. "I cannot apologise enough but I want to be honest with everyone who has patiently waited to see me, I promise I will do my best to make this up to everybody I've let down today."
"I know those who suffer anxiety will understand," Malik, 23, added. "And I hope those who don't can empathise with my situation."
— zayn (@zaynmalik) June 11, 2016
The singer, who was photographed holding hands with on-again girlfriend Gigi Hadid in NYC on Friday, June 10, was due to take the stage at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday as part of a lineup that included Little Mix, the girl group fronted by his ex-fiancée Perrie Edwards.
Malik quit One Direction in March 2015 after five years with the chart toppers. "I'm 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," he said in a statement at the time.
The Brit released his debut solo album, Mind of Mine, in March this year.
