Little Mix
Jade Thirlwall, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards (from left) of British pop group Little Mix appear on NBC's "Today" show in New York, June 17, 2014. Fans are blaming Edwards after her fiance, Zayn Malik, announced Wednesday he had quit One Direction. Reuters

One Direction fans aimed their shock and anger at Perrie Edwards Wednesday after her fiance, Zayn Malik, announced he was quitting One Direction just days after reports broke that he was allegedly cheating on the Little Mix singer. Edwards, 21, and Malik, 22, are expected to get married later this year, according to media reports.

“Zayn’s found traveling and touring with the band a big drain this time round — he’s seriously exhausted and wanted to let his hair down in Thailand. Now his plan has backfired and he’s gutted that Perrie has been left humiliated. He’s told Perrie he’ll do anything to please her and wants to stop pushing their wedding date back. He says he wants to get married this year, but Perrie is finding it hard to let go of what she’s seen,” a source told Closer magazine after a photograph of him with his arm around another blonde in Thailand went viral this week.

Zayn's last message to fans on Twitter was about his relationship.

Edwards has been compared in the past to Yoko Ono, the celebrated artist and wife of John Lennon often blamed for breaking up the Beatles. But One Direction fans really ripped into her Wednesday after the band announced his departure.

Here's the full statement announcing the change: "After five incredible years Zayn Malik has decided to leave One Direction. Niall, Harry, Liam and Louis will continue as a four-piece and look forward to the forthcoming concerts of their world tour and recording their fifth album, due to be released later this year."

Zayn added, "My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologize to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world."