Rebecca Ferguson has backed Zayn Malik's decision to leave One Direction.
The Lady Sings the Blues popstar appeared on the seventh series of The X Factor alongside One Direction, and briefly dated Malik back in 2011.
Malik departed the group's 'On The Road Again' world tour last month after being signed off for stress, and later made the decision to leave the band permanently.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Ferguson said: "I think it looks to me like he has done the best thing for him really and he's kind of doing what makes him happy and there's rumours that he's going solo.
"I don't know what's true and what's not, but good luck to him and you've got to follow your heart I think with life."
Speaking about her Billie Holiday covers album Lady Sings the Blues, Ferguson added: "I was a bit apprehensive at first but I just made sure I made [the songs] my own.
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"I think you can't sing someone else's music unless you're going to completely make it your own, so I reworked all the songs and put a modern twist on them."
Ferguson previously announced details of a new 2016 UK tour.
Watch Rebecca Ferguson perform 'Blue Moon' below:
