Simon Cowell apologized to former One Direction member, Zayn Malik, after he uttered an awkward joke asking "who misses Zayn?"

Although the soon-to-be America's Got Talent judge isn't known for making public apologies, he stepped up to do one, as he admitted that he had been off to joke on the British crooner during last week's Music Industry Trust Awards, as reported by US Weekly.

He admitted his mistake during a radio interview with New York's Fresh 102.7 on Friday, adding up that his joke "didn't quite land."

"I just kind of thought when I was standing on stage with them, that they were back to being five, and I saw myself [being a part of] One Direction for a moment," Cowell said. "That's when I made that quip, 'Who needs Zayn?' which of course backfired hugely."

Trump also explained that it meant to be a joke and he apologizes not only to the 22-year-old crooner, but also to his strong wave of fans who were offended by his quip.

According to MTV, Cowell spilled the joke when One Direction received an award during the British ceremony, and said "Just my luck I get the award I've been wanting all my life and I'm completely hammered. Guys, who misses Zayn?"

Rather than being funny, the statement was taken to be a potshot on the former One Direction member, giving a subtle under message that One Direction is still kicking it sans Malik. The statement angered not only Malik's fans, but as well as Directioners who still love Malik and the group altogether.

While it has been months since Malik and the rest of the guys parted ways, Bustle reports that "Malik's departure from the British boy band in March is still an open wound that hasn't quite healed yet."

Although they will soon release their first album without Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlison decided that they will take a break from the industry in 2016, hence, making One Direction's fifth album, "Made in the A.M.," the last one yet.

Since they will be taking a hiatus next year, to the fans disappointment, the group won't be having a tour for their latest album.