Zayn Malik has made his first public appearance since leaving One Direction, at the fifth Annual Asian Awards. The 22 year old debut a new shaved hairstyle at the event, where he was accompanied by his mother Trisha Malik.

Zayn MalikZayn was accompanied to the event by his mother, Trisha.

The 22-year-old was presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music at the ceremony, which was held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. Accepting the award Zayn referenced his time in the million selling pop group and thanked his former bandmates.

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"I'd like to thank my mum and dad, and I'd also like to take this moment to thank four of the best guys I've ever met, everything I've done with them will stay with me for the rest of my life," he told the audience. "Some of the things that we did will stay with me for the rest of my life.”

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Malik then ended his speech by saying: "Here's to the future.” Zayn refused to answers questions on the red carpet before the ceremony, but he did spend time signing autographs for fans, who were a little emotional over his appearance.

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While Malik might not be a member of the world’s most popular boyband anymore, the singer is not yet able to escape the One Direction levels of hysteria which still follow him. According to the Daily Mail, a ‘tussle’ even broke in the crowd, after Malik entered the hotel and fans argued about his new hairstyle.