One Direction hit back at rumours Zayn Malik is battling substance abuse, after another absence

HE’S missed several appearances and when he does show up, Zayn Malik looks gaunt and dishevelled. Now the band responds to growing drug claims.

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 15: Zayn Malik attends to record the Band Aid 30 single on November 15, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)

CONCERNS are growing for One Direction member Zayn Malik after the young pop star missed yet another public appearance, amid growing rumours he’s battling substance abuse.

The 21-year-old British musician was due to fly with his band mates to the United States to launch the group’s new album Four live on the Today show, but stayed home instead.

Shock look ... Zayn Malik looked spaced out as he arrived to record the Band Aid single last week. Picture: Getty Images

Just days ago, Malik was photographed looking a shadow of his former polished self as he entered a recording session for Bob Geldof’s rebooted Band Aid charity single.

Today show host Matt Lauer grilled the One Direction boys about the drug speculation during an interview.

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“I’m counting chairs here and I see four. Normally we’re used to seeing five. Where’s Zayn?” Lauer began the interview, which aired in the US overnight.

No show ... One Direction’s remaining members were left to perform without Zayn Malik after he failed to make it to Orlando, Florida for a live appearance on the Today show. Picture: Getty Images

Liam Payne’s reply that Malik simply had a “tummy bug so he’s not well” wasn’t convincing enough, so Lauer pressed on with a pointed question.

“Liam, there’s obviously a lot of concern, a lot of fans have been Tweeting overnight ... Is it something more serious than just a minor illness? There have been rumours of substance abuse. What’s going on?”

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Payne was visibly thrown but denied the drug use allegation, which is a rumour that has been doing the rounds for weeks.

“He’s okay. He’s just at home. He just needs to rest. He’s okay.”

Looking gaunt ... Zayn looked dishevelled and thin at the Royal Variety Performance last week, with One Direction band mates Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles. Picture: Getty Images

A spokesman for the group blamed the singer’s failure to make the US visit on a minor illness but some fans and commentators aren’t convinced.

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Many have voiced their worry in recent weeks following a spate of odd behaviour. Malik looked gaunt and tired while meeting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last week.

Old self ... a cleaner and sharper looking Zayn Malik photographed this time last year. Picture: Getty Images

And he was missing from a promotional video message announcing One Direction’s upcoming performance at the ARIA Awards next Wednesday.

When asked when Malik would be joining the other four on the road, Payne could not say definitively.

Originally published as One Direction hit back at rumours Zayn Malik is battling substance abuse, after another absence