The internet has reacted in typical fashion to today 's double blow that Zayn Malik is quitting One Direction and Jeremy Clarkson has been sacked - by suggesting the 54-year-old job seeker becomes the boy band 's fifth member . Dozens of hilarious memes have been spread across social media showing the group posing together with Zayn replaced by the petrol head in an array of publicity and performance shots . Mostly consisting of Clarkson 's head photoshopped onto Zayn 's body , other images include Clarkson with his arms draped across his fellow band members ' shoulders , or performing on stage alongside Harry Styles . Scroll down for video . A promotional poster for the band 's On the Road Again tour was edited to include Clarkson being part of the line-up . The internet memes showed the boy band with its fifth member being recently-sacked Clarkson ( centre ) . Here he is pictured wearing Zayn 's shirt and braces . Another image showed the group wearing suits , with Clarkson donning a dark brown jacket . Clarkson , wearing a white long-sleeve shirt , poses alongside the band members in another hilarious photoshopped image . It follows this afternoon 's announcement that Zayn , 22 , would be quitting the group a week after he was pictured holding hands with a blonde Essex girl during the group 's tour in Thailand . After five years with the band , the singer has bowed out , leaving Niall Horan , Harry Styles , Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson to continue as a four-piece . Just hours previously , Lord Hall , the Director General of the BBC , had announced Clarkson was sacked after the corporation 's internal investigation found he had punched producer Oisin Tymon with such force Tymon had to go to A & E . The corporation 's internal investigation concluded the star , 54 , launched an 'unprovoked ' 30-second physical attack on Tymon because he was offered a plate of cold cuts instead of steak and chips . However , with Clarkson now looking for work and One Direction appearing to have a vacancy , sharp witted Twitter users quickly created a series of memes in a light hearted attempt to solve both problems . In announcing his decision to quit the group , Zayn said : 'My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined . 'But , after five years , I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band . I 'd like to apologise to the fans if I 've let anyone down , but I have to do what feels right in my heart . ' The Department for Work and Pensions also tweeted about the news , offering Zayn some job seeking tips . Lidl stores slashed the price of their One Direction Easter eggs by one fifth - 20p - after Zayn announced he was quitting the band . Jeremy Clarkson , wearing Zayn 's clothes , poses with his band mates in this photoshopped image . In this meme , Zayn replaces Clarkson as the host of Top Gear alongside James May and Richard Hammond . Zayn , wearing Clarkson 's clothes , poses beside Hammond and May in another internet meme that plays on the fact Clarkson was today sacked just hours before Zayn quit One Direction . He continued : ' I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22 year old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight . ' I know I have four friends for life in Louis , Liam , Harry and Niall . I know they will continue to be the best band in the world . ' The Best Song Ever hitmakers will record their fifth album in Zayn 's absence and will continue with the remaining dates on the band 's forthcoming world tour . Meanwhile , the BBC found Clarkson spent 20 minutes verbally abusing producer Tymon in a luxury North Yorkshire hotel before launching a 30-second physical assault that led to another member of staff dragging him away . Mr Tymon said today after the sacking : 'He is a unique talent and I am well aware that many will be sorry his involvement in the show should end in this way ' . Another picture shows Clarkson performing on stage , with Harry Styles pictured to his immediate left . The BBC today sacked Jeremy Clarkson , leading to the creation of internet memes suggesting he join One Direction . Here he is photoshopped far left into a picture of the group .
Internet memes show Clarkson posing as the boy band 's fifth member . The hilarious images were created in the wake of Zayn 's decision to quit . His shock announcement came just hours after Clarkson given the sack . He was sacked after a Top Gear investigation found he hit a BBC producer . Zayn today declared he was quitting One Direction to live a 'normal ' life . Harry , Louis , Liam and Niall will continue as a four-piece in his absence .