Even among the pantheon of former boy band members, Zayn Malik s position is unenviable.
Since leaving One Direction in 2015 and releasing a promising debut solo album, his path has been one of sluggish descent.
When he departed the X Factor-formed group, he made it clear he was not doing a Robbie Williams, or a Justin Timberlake for that matter, and setting out his stall as a blockbuster solo artist.
Instead, he was hoping for some peace and quiet, and a chance to pursue music that was less poppy, more soulful.
Six years down the line, Malik, now 28, remains an enigma - he has failed to establish a strong artistic identity (especially in contrast to former bandmate Harry Styles) and remains best known for his romance with supermodel Gigi Hadid, now the mother of his child.