They wasted no time in taking to Twitter to share their hysterical reactions, ranging from imploring their idol to change to his mind, to comparing his departure to a death. One distraught fan even insisting her world had "stopped turning".
As "#AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik" and "#PleaseZaynBackForUs" trended worldwide on Twitter, both celebrities and Directioners inundated the micro-blogging site with their thoughts on the departure which has rocked the showbiz world.
"#ReplaceZayn", "RIP One Direction" and "#blameperrie", [Zayn's fiance Perrie Edwards] also became trending topics.
@dodisozer echoed the disbelief of many, writing: "You can't do this to us, we can't do this," @coolkidsnodance wrote: "I can't believe it," and @1995harryzt added: "I'm crying, say it's not true."
is this what it feels like to get dumped?did zayn malik just break up with me
