One Direction star Zayn Malik has expressed his anger after drug abuse claims were made about him live on US TV.

Malik was a no-show for 1D's stint on The Today Show yesterday (November 17), with host Matt Lauer causing controversy after asking the boys whether his absence was related to drugs.

Clearly surprised by the question, Liam Payne replied: "No, he’s just got a stomach bug. He’s okay. He’s just at home. He just needs to rest.

"We only found out this morning so we’re really sad, he is as well, that he can’t be here for our album release... It's still going to be a great day, I’m sure."

Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan were also left unimpressed by Lauer's remark, with Horan seeming to reply with a rude noise.

Zayn himself has since hit back atLauer's comments, fuming to The Sun's Dan Wootton: "I'm really angry and upset by what was said on The Today Show.

"I was really ill at the weekend. That's why I couldn't fly to America."

A rep for 1D has since told MailOnline: "Zayn was taken ill after recording the Band Aid single at the weekend and was unfortunately not well enough to fly to the USA yesterday.

"He will join the band for promotion for the new album as soon as he possibly can."