It has been alleged that One Direction star Zayn Malik punched his fellow bandmate, Louis Tomlinson, in the face and bad-mouthed his late mom while filming for a Netflix show.
A new report claims the 33-year-old singer allegedly struck his co-star during production on a three-part Netflix travel series.
The Sun reports that the programme was ultimately shelved following the alleged altercation. The outlet claims Zayn began “acting up and mouthing off,” which led to a heated confrontation. He also allegedly made a remark about Louis’ mother, Johannah, who died in 2016 at the age of 43 after battling leukaemia.
The incident is said to have been serious enough that Louis, 34, was taken to hospital in Wyoming last October, where he was reportedly treated for a concussion and a head wound.
Sources told The Sun that any recorded material from the shoot could be “too damaging” for Zayn if released publicly, with the report suggesting this was a key factor in the show being cancelled.
The source said: “The moment Zayn hit Louis and made a derogatory comment about his mum Johannah, was all filmed. Zayn and Louis know footage exists and the production company has it.
“If it became public, it could be beyond damaging for Zayn’s image.”
The series was reportedly intended to provide a “raw insight” into the pair’s dynamic, but the source claimed the alleged behaviour showed Zayn “crossed a line”.
Speculation about a possible rift has continued to swirl since reports of the alleged punch surfaced ahead of the show’s planned release.
According to the report, the former bandmates agreed to a multi-million-pound deal to travel across the US, revisiting major moments from their time in One Direction and discussing their lives since the group’s peak years.
“Louis was stunned and in shock,” a source said.
“As he went to move, Zayn then attacked him. Zayn punched him straight in the face, because he was wearing rings it cut Louis’ head.”
The report also claims the two have not spoken in the six months since the alleged incident.
Representatives for Netflix, Zayn and Louis have been approached for comment.
The claims arrive shortly after Louis appeared to fuel rumours of tension when fans noticed he had unfollowed Zayn on Instagram.
Followers quickly pointed out the change in his following list. Zayn—who has recently relocated to a rural farm in Pennsylvania—still follows Louis, among the 17 accounts he follows on the platform.
Two of Louis’ five sisters, Phoebe and Lottie, have also reportedly unfollowed Zayn.