Former One Direction bandmates Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson allegedly got into a heated confrontation that escalated to a physical altercation, with Malik allegedly punching Tomlinson and reportedly mentioning his late mother.

The news that the remaining One Direction boys had signed a multi-million-pound deal to travel across the United States, documenting the trip in a three-part series, made headlines in October last year. The series, which was set for a 2026 release, was due to show them opening up about their lives and reflecting on memories from their time in the band. However, according to a report by The Sun, the series has now been scrapped following the alleged on-set incident between the pair.

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The publication claims the situation escalated into a physical altercation, with 33-year-old Zayn allegedly punching Louis in the face, resulting in the Doncaster-born Brit suffering cuts to his head, a concussion, and requiring medical treatment.

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Reportedly, the ordeal began when, during filming, father-of-one Zayn began ‘acting up and mouthing off’. Zayn, who shares a daughter with supermodel Gigi Hadid, has previously been plagued by similar allegations against him when multiple outlets reported that Yolanda Hadid had accused Zayn of striking her during an argument at the family home.

Whilst filming their Netflix show, Zayn is also said to have made a remark about Louis’ late mother, Johannah Deakin, who passed away at 43 in 2016 after a battle with leukaemia. Since then, two of Louis’ five sisters, Phoebe and Lottie, have unfollowed Zayn on Instagram.

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A source reportedly said:

“Louis was stunned and in shock…
As he tried to move, Zayn allegedly attacked him, landing a punch directly to his face. Because he was wearing rings, it ended up cutting Louis’ head.”

Zayn and Louis first met in 2010 when they were put together by Simon Cowell, alongside other X Factor auditionees Harry Styles, Niall Horan and the late Liam Payne. One Direction broke records and had tours grossing hundreds of millions before Zayn first announced his departure from the band in 2015.

In his official statement from March 2015, he said:

“My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.”

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Around that time, there were media reports of arguments and distance forming between members, particularly towards the end of Zayn’s time in the band, but the members themselves have mostly downplayed any serious personal conflict. On 13 December 2015, they performed their final show together, without Zayn, in a poetic fashion at The X Factor UK live finale in London.

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