Former One Direction star Zayn Malik has released his debut solo single.

Malik tweeted a link to the download and the accompanying video after Pillowtalk was played on some US radio stations.

The video for the single sees a blond Malik kissing model Gigi Hadid.

The single appeared to go down well with his fans, who praised him for going solo.

It comes after the Bradford-born singer, who is due to release his first solo album in March, revealed he never wanted to be in One Direction and was looking to leave the band from the first year.

In his first broadcast interview since leaving the band last March, he said he "instantly realised" being a part of 1D was not for him when he saw what direction the music was going in, adding that he was "frustrated" at being unable to have any influence over the style.