- Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
Zayn Malik reportedly fears the footage of him allegedly punching his One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson and bad-mouthing his late mum may be leaked.
The Pillowtalk singer, 33, is said to have ‘punched’ Louis, 34, in the face and cut his head while filming their three-episode travel series.
Louis needed treatment for concussion and a cut to his head in Wyoming, US, last October.
Now insiders say the Netflix footage could be ‘beyond damaging’ for Zayn if it is ever made public.
Sources told The Sun that Netflix realised the series had to be cancelled after Zayn ‘crossed the line’.
They 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 supposed to capture a raw insight into Zayn and Louis’ relationship but this crossed a line.’
Daily Mail have contacted Zayn and Louis’ representatives for comment.
It comes after Louis appeared to confirm his ‘feud’ with Zayn as he unfollowed his former One Direction bandmate.
Following the ‘punching’ news, Louis unfollowed Zayn on Instagram, while Zayn still has Louis as one of the 17 people he follows.
Eagle-eyed fans of the band were quick to notice the online exchange and shared their ‘heartbreak’ on social media.
They wrote on X: ‘Louis unfollowing Zayn is one of the most heartbreaking news I’ve received today’; ‘Wdym Louis unfollowed Zayn???; ‘We can’t have anything good I swear.’
Friends of Zayn are said to be fearing that he has ‘totally isolated’ himself after moving to a rural farm in Pennsylvania.
Zayn has lived in America permanently since 2018, while Louis devotes a large part of his time there thanks to his nine-year-old son with stylist Briana Jungwirth.
An insider told The Sun: ‘The industry is rapidly losing patience with Zayn. It’s not the first time he has cancelled a show, and he is beginning to get a reputation for this type of thing.
‘To make fans buy an album to get a chance of seeing him, only to cancel the gig when you haven’t even boarded a plane, is a terrible look. People are furious.
‘But behind the scenes, there is also deep concern for him. Zayn has his own private demons that he struggles with, and friends have long been worried about his use of marijuana and how much time he spends entirely alone. He has cut himself off from the world.’
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik for comment.
It was reported that Zayn punched Louis during filming for a Netflix road trip show -as Louis’s sisters unfollow the singer.
The former One Direction bandmates had signed a multi-million pound deal to travel the US where they would discuss their lives and reflect on memories from their days in the band.
But according to The Sun, the series has been scrapped after the pair got into a physical altercation – with Zayn allegedly punching Louis in the face, resulting in the singer suffering a concussion and requiring medical treatment.
The publication reported that during filming, Zayn began ‘acting up and mouthing off’, which sparked an explosive row.
Zayn reportedly then made a comment about Louis’s mum Johannah Deakin, who died aged 43 in 2016 after battling leukaemia.
Two of Louis’ five sisters, Phoebe and Lottie, have since unfollowed Zayn on Instagram.
‘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’s head.’
Netflix is said to have axed the multi-million-pound show – which was reportedly set to be produced by Campfire Studios – following the altercation as the pair have reportedly not spoken since the incident occurred six months ago.
The Daily Mail has contacted Netflix, Campfire Studios, and representatives for Zayn and Louis for comment.
It was reported in January the former One Direction bandmates were believed to have ‘fallen out’ after they reunited for the brand new road trip show.
Sources close to the production revealed the pair were likely to discuss the tragic death of their friend and bandmate Liam Payne in the series.
An insider previously told The Sun of the show: ‘This will be an absolutely huge show for Netflix and is guaranteed to whip 1D’s global army of fans into a frenzy.
‘Although the idea of British boyband members doing a show about travelling across America sounds random, most of them now have strong links Stateside.
‘And it’s likely to be a chance for some serious soul-searching and deep discussions about the incredible journey the group have already been on since they were formed on The X Factor 15 years ago.’
