Ex-band mates don’t speak to Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik has hit out at his former One Direction band mates, saying they refused to speak to him when he left the band. The singer, 22, spectacularly quit the multi-million selling group in March 2015 and he hinted certain members have cut all contact with him following the shock departure.

Despite claiming he had “four friends for life” in Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Liam Payne when he quit the group, he’s now confessed: “The truth of it is you can think one thing about a situation and the total opposite can happen.

“I had every intention of remaining friends with everybody, but I guess certain phone numbers have changed and I haven’t received calls from a lot of people. I’ve reached out to a few of them and not got a reply. Certain people have pride issues, but it’s a stuff you overcome in time.”

And Bradford-born Zayn claims he decided against picking up a copy of 1D’s recent album Made In The A.M. — their first record without him — after being unimpressed by their second single ‘Perfect’.

However, he insists there’s no longer any rivalry between him and his former band mates and there won’t be any competition if any of the band members — who are currently on a hiatus — release solo records at the same time as his. The solo star will release his debut album in spring.

He added: “There are no sides to pick. We’re not going head-to-head.”

Alan Rickman, Harry Potter actor dies

Actor Alan Rickman, known for films like Harry Potter, Die Hard and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, died last week at the age of 69, a statement said.

Rickman became one of Britain’s most-loved acting stars thanks to roles including Professor Snape in the Harry Potter films and Hans Gruber in Die Hard.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling led the tributes, describing him as “a magnificent actor and a wonderful man.”

She wrote on Twitter: “There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman’s death.”

While Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe said Rickman was “undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with.”

Director Ang Lee, who cast Rickman opposite Kate Winslet in 1995’s Sense and Sensibility, called him a “brilliant actor… a soulful actor… [and] a great human being.”

Star Wars-themed land in Disney World

It’s a small world after all — so small that Disney World is making some serious cuts. Disney World’s Hollywood Studios theme park is saying goodbye to a handful of its iconic attractions come May 2, according to an announcement on the Disney Park’s blog. 

The closures come as a result of plans to unveil two new lands within the park, including Toy Story Land and a Star Wars-themed land. For the future Toy Story Land, “Andy’s backyard will come to life and the famous little green aliens from the movie will take you for a spin in their very own flying saucers,” the post said.

Watch out, Rock n’ Roller Coaster — a Slinky Dog-inspired thrill ride is also in the works.  

As for Star Wars fans, the themed land is set to give guests a fully immersive experience into a galaxy far, far away, including “a customised secret mission on the Millennium Falcon.”

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 23rd, 2015