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Simon Cowell could not have picked a more inappropriate moment to ask a crowd if they missed Zayn Malik.

On Monday night he received an award for his services to the music industry and his charitable work.

One Direction presented the X Factor boss with the prize, who then bizarrely used his acceptance speech to ask "so who misses Zayn?"

Cue embarrassed glances from the four remaining members of the group and nervous laughter from the room.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Louis Walsh and Olly Murs were present, as was 91�ȱ� Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Nick Grimshaw.

"It was a little bit awkward," Nick Grimshaw revealed during Tuesday's show.

Zayn Malik left One Direction in March to focus on a solo recording career with the rest of the band continuing as a four piece.

"There was this really moving film where everyone throughout his career talked about everything he's done," said Nick.

"And the first thing he asked was the question about Zayn. The room was like, 'oooh'.

"It was a bit awkward but he likes doing things like that."

Nick Grimshaw also revealed that Simon Cowell's speech went on to take a more amusing tone.

"He did a really moving speech where he thanked everyone that he'd worked with. He thanked his mum and dad and his girlfriend Lauren.

"Then he thanked the man who invented Botox. He did say, 'I can't show any expressions but I look gorgeous.'"

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