Zayn Malik to publish debut autobiography at the grand old age of 23

Zayn Malik, best known as the first member to leave One Direction, is to publish his “first autobiography” at the age of 23.

Simply entitled Zayn, the Bradford-born artist’s foray into authorship comes not long after his debut single Pillowtalk reached number one in the UK, US, Ireland and Australia - and chances are good the book won’t have much problem shifting copies upon its 1 November release either.

And as ever, the outspoken star is doing things his way: as opposed to a written narrative it will document the musician’s thoughts, drawings and personal photographs, meaning that while we might not get the lengthy prose about hanging out on yachts with Simon Cowell and playfully ruffling Harry Styles hair backstage we were so desperate for, we can at the very least expect some nice doodles.

“I’m going to show you as much as I can so that you can judge me on my own terms, not on what the press or anyone else says,” said the singer in a statement through publishers Random House.

Charting his early years growing up, entry to fame through the 2010 series of X Factor, eventual departure from the 21st century’s biggest boy band, as well as the anxieties and grapples with fame he's had since, it should prove a startling insight into the A-list life.

We have to admit we've always had something of a soft spot for Malik, a young man able to cut through the bullshit of the music industry and do things on his terms without fearing the consequence. Braver folk than us have stood up to the likes of Cowell and gone onto bigger things. What's more, he just seems like a bloody nice guy, unflustered by the pressures and trappings that normally befall young pop things.

Yep, up there with Fabian Delph and David Hockney, he's now part of an esteemed list of Bradfordians we’d love to go for a pint with - and if he’s half as good as spinning a yarn as old Delph, he could well have a bestseller on his hands.

Zayn will be released in bookshops 1 November