BRADFORD-born pop star Zayn Malik has spoken of his love for the city – speaking in glowing terms about its distinct “character and soul”.

The former One Direction boy band member, who grew up in East Bowling, was chosen as one of six people to contribute to Vogue magazine’s standalone feature, Love Letters to Britain, in the December issue.

Zayn’s passion for his home city is evident as he waxes lyrical about Bradford.

He says: “Yorkshire makes most people think of rich farmland and long country walks. Yorkshire for me means Bradford: my home, my childhood memories, my family. It’s my identity.

“Bradford has a character and soul that makes it totally distinct from any other place in Britain. It’s a multicultural hub and the people are unapologetically patriotic.

“I am from Bradford. There’s a sense of pride knowing you hail from a place, to feel you are accepted into the secret code of its knowledge.

“It’s a place that has seen its fair share of hardship and wears its scars boldly. A place with a long history of survival, an essential beat in the heart of what makes Britain great.”

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “It’s wonderful to see Zayn sharing his passion for Yorkshire and his home town of Bradford with the whole world.

“As a global superstar, Zayn is one of our finest musical exports and it’s brilliant that he is still so proud of his Yorkshire roots.

“We hope this will encourage many of his millions of fans to come and experience the beauty and diversity of the county that Zayn holds so dear.”

Leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, said: “It’s great to hear Zayn Malik speak so passionately about the city and how it’s shaped him.

“Bradford is proud of his success and I absolutely agree with him – as Bradfordians we’ll always feel a special connection to the place and its different landscapes, its diverse people and its pioneering spirit.”

Vogue’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, speaking about the feature, said: “I assembled a team of Vogue’s friends, both old and new, and asked them to try to put their fingers on what it is exactly that makes this country so special.

“From original Swinging Sixties icon Twiggy to her modern incarnation Cara Delevingne, pop megastar Zayn Malik to new Vogue contributing editor and Oscar-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen, they all write with such affection about their very different experiences of this country.”