One Direction release surprise single, Drag Me Down

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One directionImage source, Getty Images

It's a good day to be a Directioner.

The four boys have surprised fans with their first single since Zayn left the band.

The song, Drag Me Down, premiered on iTunes and Spotify at 6.30am UK time and had its Radio 1 debut shortly afterwards.

There's no suggestion of *who* might have been dragging them down.

Twitter, the home of any self-respecting One Direction fan, erupted.

And then there were four... the first new single without Zayn on vocalsImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

And then there were four... the first new single without Zayn on vocals

The hashtag #DragMeDown has been tweeted two million times in the seven hours since its release.

Band member Niall Horan tweeted: "Finally we get to say this! Have waited a long time but our new single Drag Me Down is out!!"

Louis Tomlinson tweeted: "We wanted you guys to have our new single first so here it is!

"Thank you for all your constant support. Hopefully you love it , we're proud of it."

One Direction posted a video on Twitter earlier promoting their single, external

And here's the cover for the single, external

Radio 1 played the new single on the Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw, external

Yeah we know - we spelt the hashtag wrong...

It's the first new single without Zayn Malik on vocals.

One DirectionImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Liam being sassy on stage

The former 1D member signed a deal launching his solo career earlier this week with RCA Records.

He tweeted: "I guess I never explained why I left, it was for this moment to be given the opportunity to show you who i really am! #realmusic #RCA !!"

He quit the boy band in March saying he wanted to be a "normal 22-year-old".

This fan wants Zayn to come back to the group, external

This fan managed to work out a cover of the song at 2am, external

Watch lots more reaction on YouTube, external.

One Direction are on the American leg of their On The Road Again tour at the moment and return to the UK in September for their arena tour.

Their fifth album is set for release in November.

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