Zayn was not enjoying being part of 1D: Louis Tomlinson

London: Louis Tomlinson says he and other One Direction members knew Zayn Malik was unhappy before he left the group.

Malik left the boyband earlier this year.

Tomlinson said although the rest of the members were still enjoying life in the boyband, there were signs that Malik felt differently, reported Digital Spy.

"You know, I think we all kind of noticed that he wasn't thoroughly enjoying it and we were, and you know, it can be an intense job at times," Louis said on ITV's The Jonathan Ross Show, which airs tomorrow (November 21).

"I think it got a little bit too much for him, and he wanted to be in a different place, and that's fair enough. And he's got his own way now, so fair dos."

Asked when the last time he talked to Malik, Tomlinson replied: "I don't know - a couple of weeks ago or something. I think he wants to distance himself a little bit."