Zayn Malik pays tribute to former One Direction bandmates at Asian Awards

Former One Direction star Zayn Malik returned to the public eye for the first time since quitting the boyband to pick up a prize at the Asian Awards in London on Friday night (17Apr15).

The British pop singer made his first public appearance since announcing his decision to exit the group last month (Mar15) by attending the ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel with his mother - and he came away with a new accolade.

Malik was presented with an Outstanding Contribution to Music prize by his DJ pal Naughty Boy.

During his acceptance speech, the singer remembered his former bandmates, stating, "I'd... like to take this moment to thank four of the best guys that I ever met whilst being in the band and doing all the amazing things that I did. Some of the things that we did will stay with me for the rest of my life."

He ended his speech at the awards ceremony by saying, "Here's to the future."

Other winners at the fifth annual Asian Awards included Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, fashion designer John Rocha and cricket star Kumar Sangakkara.