Simon Cowell speaks up for the first time on camera since  Zayn Malik’s recent departure from One Direction, and his response was no surprise.

On Thursday during an event celebrating the upcoming ninth season of his popular show “Britain’s Got Talent”, Cowell was asked during the interview what he thought about the future of One Direction and Malik’s possible solo career. The 55-year-old TV personality who is known for his infamously sarcastic and sometimes harsh reviews, responded “he’s a fantastic singer. Um, look, he’s got to get his head together a little bit,” Cowell said. “He needs some time on his own, as he said, to be a normal 22-year-old, which he’s gonna have.”

Malik has yet to respond to Cowell’s comments.
The boy band was introduced on another of Cowell’s shows, “The X Factor”, and we’re formed with his helped. He also heads Syco Music, the record label that signed the group after they won third place during the series’ in 2010.

During the event, the ITN Productions-owned outlet Ode asked Cowell if he would sign Zayn as a solo artist. “I can’t give anything away,” he responded. His answer has led to speculations as towards whether Cowell would assist the 22-year-old start a career on his own.

Malik had first announced in mid-March that he would nof take part of the group’s “On the Road Again” tour, due to stress related issues. That following week, the band, which now made up of only Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne, announced Malik had officially left the group. Cowell had said in a stated that “truly sorry to see him leave.”