A decade after his dramatic exit from One Direction, Zayn Malik has reportedly rejoined the band, though not in the traditional sense of making music together just yet. According to recently surfaced business filings, the 32-year-old Pillowtalk singer has once again been named a director in the group’s long-standing company, . The move marks a small but significant shift, hinting at renewed ties among the former bandmates following a period of grief, reflection, and reconnection.
The unexpected development
Documents filed with Companies House on 3 November show Zayn Malik listed as an Active Director of PPM Music Limited, the business entity originally formed during One Direction’s rise on The X Factor. The filings also identify him as a Person with Significant Control (PSC), indicating that he has significant influence or control within the company. His previous directorship had been terminated on 20 June 2016, a year after his high-profile departure from the group in 2015.
New Companies House documents dated 3 November list Zayn Malik as an Active Director and Person with Significant Control of PPM Music Limited/ PPM
Zayn now appears alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan as fellow directors, all of whom share the same registered business address, that of Lee and Thompson LLP, a prominent London-based law firm specialising in music and media. The firm is also known to have managed Liam Payne’s solo career. The update, first reported by The Sun, sparked an immediate wave of speculation among fans and media outlets. However, there is no official confirmation that the band are reuniting musically or planning any performances. For now, the change appears strictly administrative, yet symbolically powerful for fans who have long awaited any sign of the group reconnecting.
The emotional context
The Sun cited a music source who said:“This is a huge moment.“While heartbreaking, Liam’s passing has brought them together, it’s even more sad he was the biggest cheerleader of a reunion.“PPM was the original company they set up when they appeared on the show. The name stands for Princess Park Manor, the private gated complex they were moved into when they won the show. “Since Liam’s passing the boys have been in contact.”The remarks refer to the tragic death of Liam Payne, who passed away in October last year at the age of 31 after reportedly falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. All four remaining members, Zayn, Harry, Louis, and Niall, attended his funeral, marking the first time in years they had been seen together publicly. Sources suggest that Liam’s death has deeply affected his former bandmates, rekindling a private connection that had faded over time. It is believed that this renewed contact, and perhaps a shared desire to honour their late friend, may have contributed to Zayn’s quiet reinstatement in the company.
Tracing the business link
PPM Music Limited, short for Princess Park Manor, was established as the band’s business entity when they were first moved into the gated North London complex during their X Factor days. The company handled group revenues and intellectual property throughout One Direction’s peak years. Industry executive Alan McEvoy of Live Wire Business Management, who has worked with One Direction as well as Olly Murs and JLS, is also listed as connected to the company. At the time of writing, public records confirm the following details:
- Zayn Malik’s previous directorship was terminated on 20 June 2016.
- As of early November 2025, he is again listed as an active director.
- The registered address remains Lee and Thompson LLP, London.
- The company’s other named directors are Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.
Despite the updated status, there have been no filings suggesting new projects, recordings, or tours. It remains unclear whether the reinstatement is purely procedural or signals the start of something larger.
Fans react and what comes next
The update triggered a storm of reactions across social media. Fans flooded X (formerly Twitter) with disbelief and excitement:“ZAYN REJOINED IN ONE DIRECTION??!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!” wrote one user.“Zayn rejoined one direction?????? LIKE FOR REAL?” another posted. “Waking up on a random Thursday to the news that Zayn Malik has officially rejoined One Direction is so… nobody speak to me,” added another fan. While the frenzy has dominated timelines, official band representatives have yet to comment. Some reports note that Companies House filings still list the other members’ roles as resigned, leaving room for interpretation.Earlier this year, separate rumours suggested that Zayn and Louis had signed a multi-million-pound deal to travel across the United States for a compelling project reflecting on their experiences in One Direction. Sources close to the production reportedly said the pair were expected to openly discuss their shared history, their friendship, and the loss of Liam Payne. Zayn, meanwhile, is preparing for his first-ever Las Vegas residency, set to begin in January, following the success of his solo career that began with the chart-topping Mind of Mine album in 2016. In earlier interviews, Zayn had hinted at being open to reconnecting one day, telling The Times:“If the time was right and that was the thing to do, then I would make that decision when it came around.” He had also told The Hollywood Reporter:“I genuinely enjoyed [the band] and did whatever I could to be myself within that, but it’s just not where I sit as a musician. The other boys’ taste was generally indie rock. It’s good music, but I don’t f**k with it. That was never cool where I was from.”
Not a full return, yet
For now, there’s no sign of new music or live shows. But Zayn Malik’s re-entry into PPM Music Limited, a decade after his departure and amid the shared grief of losing Liam Payne, has sparked a wave of nostalgia and hope among millions of fans. It may not be the long-awaited One Direction reunion the world has been dreaming of, but it is, in every sense, a meaningful step
