The band has been thrown into turmoil and left to complete the Asian leg of its current world tour as a four-piece after Malik was signed off with stress and returned to London on Thursday (19Mar15).

The dramatic development came after Malik denied allegations he had cheated on his pop star girlfriend, Little Mix's Perrie Edwards, while in Thailand, and it has left the future of the band uncertain and his romance with Edwards in a shaky state.

Bosses at leading bookmaker Paddy Power are now predicting the end is in sight for both One Direction and Malik's relationship, slashing odds the band will break up to just 3/1.

They are offering odds of 5/4 that Malik and Edwards will call off their engagement, 10/11 that Malik will leave the band, and 4/5 that One Direction will carry on without him.

A Paddy Power spokesman says, "The legions of One Directioners out there will be hoping that the band's future isn't as dodgy as Zayn's hair but the odds would suggest that they may be about to go their separate ways."