Zayn Malik shaved his head because he wanted a ''fresh start''.

The 22-year-old singer - who recently swapped his floppy raven locks for a buzz cut - is said to have done so as part of a ''cleansing ritual'' following his exit from One Direction last month.

A source told HollywoodLife.com: ''Zayn decided to shave his head as a cleansing ritual after all he's been through. He felt it signified a fresh start, and again distances him from his boy band days when he had foppish hair.''

The star debuted his new look at the Asian Awards 2015 in London on Friday night (04.17.15) where he was presented with an honour for his Outstanding Contribution to Music.

Zayn - who is currently working on solo music with producer Naughty Boy - made it clear there is no ill-feeling between him and his former bandmates, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles, when he thanked the boys in his acceptance speech.

He said: ''I'd also like to take this moment to thank four of the best guys that I ever met whilst being in the band and doing all the amazing things that I did.

''Some of the things that we did will stay with me for the rest of my life.''