Louis Tomlinson praises One Direction fans for helping him through a "crazy couple of days"

He wrote on Twitter: "Been a crazy couple of days but know that we are going to work harder than ever to deliver the best album we've ever made for you guys ! (sic)"

While he is still coming to terms with the devastating news, Louis admitted has been left delighted with the "truly incredible" support the fans, who are known as Directioners, have given the group, who are also made up of Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Liam Payne.

He tweeted: "Your support has been incredible , truly incredible so thank you so much ! (sic)"

Some Directioners seem to have been hit particularly hard by Zayn's bombshell with a number of 1D supporters rushing to sell their tickets for the UK leg of the group's current 'On the Road Again' world tour.

According to viagogo, the world's largest source of live event tickets, there was a 62 per cent rise of listings for the band's UK dates, which begin in Cardiff, Wales, on June 5.

A viagogo spokesperson said: "Zayn leaving One Direction is one of the biggest shocks we’ve ever seen in pop, and it seems that distraught fans are deciding that the prospect of seeing the band minus the heartthrob is just too painful to contemplate."

Harry also appeared to have taken Zayn's news hard yesterday as he broke down in tears during the group's first official gig as a four-piece in Jakarta, Indonesia, last night.

He tweeted: "All the love as always. H (sic)"

Liam also took to Twitter to admit it had been a "strange 24 hours" after news of Zayn's decision broke.

He wrote: "So glad to be in bed after a long and strange 24 hours (sic)"