Harry Styles had been preparing to leave One Direction and go solo ahead of Zayn Malik’s shock exit last month, singer Lance Bass has claimed.
Speaking on a US chat show, the former NSync star said that the 21-year-old has been putting together solo material ‘for months’ in preparation for his departure.
Bass told Meredith Vieria: “I host my own talk show every day, and you get some inside scoops - Harry Styles has been ready to go solo for many months.”
The 35-year-old went on to claim that the singer was all set to leave 1D when bandmate Malik pipped him to the post.
Bass said: “He's been recording solo and he was about to leave. The Zayn thing was just spur of the moment.”
The musician, who was in a boyband for seven years, admitted that Malik being first to leave the band was a savvy move as it raised his profile.
He said: “I think it was the best move he could have ever done, because Harry Styles is a household name.
One Direction's Zayn Malik - In pictures
“Zayn Malik - didn't really know his name until he was the first who left the group. So kudos to him for being smart to leave.”
Bass added: “Hopefully the other four can go on and do a little more music. I see Harry leaving soon and I don't see another One Direction album happening after that."
Former JLS star Oritse Williams recently admitted that he’d also had a conversation with Malik and Niall Horan about leaving the band.
He told The Mirror: “Zayn spoke to me when we were together in Vegas last year.
“Niall did too. Zayn was talking to me in confidence. I told him he had a great run and to enjoy it. They are very, very blessed guys.”
Williams added: "It’s a very special thing and not a lot of artists show gratitude for that. But I told him to be himself and to keep going."
