Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson reportedly came to blows while filming a One Direction reunion for Netflix.
Sources claim that Malik punched Tomlinson in the face, causing cuts and a concussion, after the former bandmates started arguing.
Reportedly, the argument began after Malik made a remark about Tomlinson’s late mother, Johannah Deakin, who died of Leukemia in 2016.
A source told The Sun: ‘The lads were filming on location. Zayn started acting up and was mouthing off.
‘It spiralled into a row, then Zayn made a remark about Louis’ mum Johannah.
‘Louis was stunned and in shock. As he went to move, Zayn then attacked him.’
Allegedly, Malik was wearing rings when he punched Tomlinson, causing cuts.
‘[Malik] was pulled away, and Louis was taken for medical treatment. He was left with a concussion. This happened outside in front of so many people. It was shocking,’ the source revealed.
Following the attack, Tomlinson left for the UK while Malik returned to his farm in Pennsylvania, and the pair haven’t spoken in six months.
Timeline of Zayn’s beef with 1D
Need a refresher on Zayn’s complicated relationship with One Direction? We’ve got you covered…
- 25 March 2015: Zayn quits One Direction, claiming he considers his bandmates ‘friends for life’
- 6 May 2015: Louis and Zayn get into a public spat on Twitter after singer Naughty Boy posted a selfie with Zayn captioned: ‘Replace this.’
- 29 July 2015: Zayn claims it’s time to make ‘real music’ after signing a contract with RCA records.
- November 2015: Zayn tells Fader magazine that One Direction’s music is ‘generic’.
- January 2016: Zayn tells Capital’s Dave Berry that he’s no longer speaking to Louis
- March 2016: Zayn admits he doesn’t really keep in touch with the One Direction boys, and later that month, they go on an extended hiatus.
- September 2017: Zayn admits he ‘never really spoke to Harry [Styles] even when I was in the band’.
- March 2018: Liam Payne tweets Niall, Louis and Harry about the hashtag #OneDirectionBestFans, leaving Zayn out.
- June 2018: Zayn tells GQ he never really made friends with any of the One Direction boys.
- March 2019: Louis reveals his friendship with Zayn fell apart after the singer failed to appear at Louis’s X Factor performance in 2016 after the death of his mother.
- March 2020: Liam claims Zayn doesn’t keep in touch with the band any more.
- October 2024: Liam Payne passes away, and the remaining members of One Direction reunite for his funeral.
- January 2025: Louis is seen at Zayn’s concert in Los Angeles. Zayn tells the audience: An old friend of mine is here supporting me tonight. I don’t want to give his location away, but Louis is here tonight.’
- May 2025: Zayn starts following Louis on Instagram.
- October 2025: The Sun reports that 1D have agreed to reunite for a new Netflix documentary.
- Late 2025: The alleged row and fight between Louis and Zayn.
According to The Sun’s source, Tomlinson was ‘clearly hurt’ by whatever Malik said about his mother, and there was ‘no way he would ever return to filming with Zayn.’
While Netflix had hoped that the pair would cool off and return to filming, it’s clear that’s not going to happen.
As such, the decision has reportedly been made to cancel the three-part series, which would have reunited One Direction for a road trip across America.
Yesterday, Malik shared a photo of himself in a hospital bed after a ‘long week’ of health woes, which forced him to cancel an event.
He wrote on his Instagram story: ‘To my fans – Thank you to all of you for your love & support now & always – it’s been a long week and I’m still unexpectedly recovering.
‘Heartbroken that I can’t see you all this week, I wouldn’t be in the place I am today without you guys and am so thankful for your understanding.’
Zayn added: ‘Thank you to the incredible hospital staff of Drs, nurses, cardiologists, management, admin and everyone who has helped along the way and continue to. You are all legends!’
Metro has contacted Malik and Tomlinson’s representatives for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.