Sick Zayn Malik exits One Direction's final Australian gig early

One Direction had to compete the final date on their Australian tour as a four-piece after illness prompted Zayn Malik to bow out of the show early.

The Best Song Ever hitmakers hit the stage at Perth's Patersons Stadium on Friday night (20Feb15) to wrap up the latest leg of their ongoing On The Road Again trek, but Malik fell ill midway through the gig and headed backstage for a break.

However, he was deemed too sick to perform and it was left to Niall Horan to tell fans his pal would be sitting out the remainder of the concert.

Despite the setback, the boy band delivered an energy-filled performance, complete with fireworks and confetti.

No reason was given for Malik's illness, which occurred three months after he had to skip a series of U.S. appearances in November (14) due to a stomach bug.

Malik's early exit wasn't the only drama surrounding the gig - the singer and his bandmate Louis Tomlinson were rumored to have faced travel difficulties getting to Perth after heading to Hamilton Island during the day, which is close to areas affected by Cyclone Marcia on Friday.

One Direction are next due to perform in Japan on Tuesday (24Feb15).