Johannesburg - Best-selling boy band One Direction bounded onto the stage in Johannesburg on Saturday for their first show since fans across the world were plunged into teenage distress over heartthrob Zayn Malik quitting the group.
A deafening wall of excited screams greeted the remaining four members of the British-Irish group, who have earned a global following since bursting onto the scene in a television talent show in 2010.
Adoring young fans said they feared the departure of Malik, 22, could mean the break-up of One Direction, but the performers made no mention of their missing bandmate as they tore into a string of hits, including What Makes You Beautiful.