MUMBAI: Zayn Malik made his first red carpet appearance since quitting One Direction last month and thanked his "amazing" former bandmates at the Asian Awards 2015.

The singer was honoured for his Outstanding Contribution to Music at the awards gala, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

The 22-year-old, who quit the chart-topping band last month, was presented with the honour by his friend and collaborator DJ Naughty Boy on Friday night.

Collecting the award, Malik, who showed off his newly shaved head, told the audience he was "not really a guy of many words" and said his bandmates -- Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Liam Payne -- were usually the ones to make these types of speeches at such events.

He added, "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."

Malik, who is engaged to Little Mix star Perrie Edwards, departed the group last month to lead a more "normal" life outside the spotlight.