Members of British boy band One Direction aren't looking for a replacement for Zayn Malik, who recently quit the band. They will continue as a four-piece following Malik's departure.

Sources close to media mogul Simon Cowell and the record label have confirmed that there's "absolutely zero" talk to hire another singer to replace Malik, reports tmz.com.

Zayn quit One Direction in order to become "a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight". He said so in a statement posted on social networking website Facebook last week.

He also denied any bad blood with his former bandmates -- Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson -- saying: "I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world."