Louis Tomlinson has unfollowed his former One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik after reports of an alleged altercation behind the scenes on their unreleased Netflix docuseries.
As of Saturday, Tomlinson is not following Malik on Instagram, but he still follows fellow former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan and the late Liam Payne.
Malik does not appear to have reciprocated the move, as Tomlinson remains one of just 17 accounts that Malik follows on Instagram.
It comes after a report in The Sun claimed that a forthcoming Netflix series starring the two — which was meant to follow them on a road trip around the U.S. — has been scrapped following an incident six months ago in which Malik, 33, allegedly punched Tomlinson, 34, after he made a remark about his late mom.
Tomlinson’s mother died of leukaemia in December 2016, aged 43.
Netflix reportedly decided to scrap the documentary last month when it seemed the pair could not reconcile for the filming. The Independent has contacted Netflix and Malik and Tomlinson’s representatives for comment.
On Friday, the series’s director Nicola Marsh shared The Sun’s front page to her Instagram story and commented: “And there goes the last year of work.”
Reports of the Netflix series emerged in October last year, with a description stating that episodes would see the pair discuss their experiences of fame, personal lives, fatherhood and their careers.
News comes as Malik was admitted to the hospital on Friday — the same day as the release of his new album Konnakol — for undisclosed reasons.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The singer shared a picture of himself in a hospital gown wearing what appears to be a blood pressure cuff, and thanked his fans for their support.
“Been a long week and am still unexpectedly recovering,” the singer wrote. “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.”
“Thank you to all the incredible hospital staff of [doctors], nurses, cardiologist, management, admin and everyone who had helped along the way and continue to. You are all legends,” he added.
Malik was scheduled to appear at a venue in Kingston, London, on April 13 for a special One Night Only show playing new tracks from his new album, but had to postpone due to illness.
He is scheduled to begin his world tour at the AO Arena in Manchester on 12 May.
Tomlinson is currently on tour and will play his first UK date at the Co-Op Live arena in Manchester on 24 April, in support of his latest album, How Did I Get Here?
The pair first met on the British talent competition The X Factor in 2010 before being grouped as One Direction by Simon Cowell, alongside Styles, 32, Horan, 32, and Payne, who died in October aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony.
The band operated for five years until 2015, when Malik left under acrimonious circumstances and launched a solo career.
His relations with his fellow bandmates were fraught after his departure, but he and Tomlinson had appeared to have rekindled their friendship in recent years.
