Zayn Malik rejoins One Direction after drug abuse claims

The One Direction star took time off for illness

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by Owen Tonks |
Published on

Guys, GUYS! It’s OK! We can all relax. Zayn Malik has stopped chucking his guts up and has rejoined his One Direction bandmates in America.

The boyband star sparked concern this week when he stayed in the UK as the rest of 1D jetted off to Orlando, Florida for the launch of their album Four.

The singer fought back after he was left “angry and upset” by questions from The Today Show’s host Matt Lauer over whether his illness was actually down to drug abuse.

But Zayn joined his bandmates – Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson – onstage at the Universal Orlando Resort with fans delighted to see him back.

One Directioner tweeted: “I’m so happy I can sleep peacefully Zayn my sunshine he’s okay he’s back there’s 5/5 now. #ZaynIsBack.”

Four members of the group appeared on The Today Show earlier this week when they were quizzed over Zayn’s absence.

Liam explained: “He’s got a tummy bug so he’s not very well at the moment so he couldn’t make it over.”

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But host Matt suggested there may be something more to the situation, pushing: “There’s obviously a lot of concern, a lot of fans have been tweeting overnight. There’s been a lot of action on social media about him.

“Is it something more serious than just a minor illness? There have been rumours of substance abuse. What’s going on?”

Zayn insists he is happy and healthy and he simply needed some time off to recover, telling The Sun: “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. I was gutted to have to miss album release day, but I’m going to be back as soon as I can.

“As soon as I’m feeling better I’m going to join the guys and carry on with the promotion for the album.”

Welcome back, Zayn.

*GALLERY: One Direction's Four song-by-song *

Gallery

FOUR One Direction song-by-song

Steal My Girl1 of 12

Steal My Girl

A song about everyone wanting to get with the 1D boys’ girlfriends. Danny DeVito was in the video for this anthemic lil number which is a bit alright. Liam’s soulful vocal gymnastics are really quite cute too. Given it's a One Direction song, there's a definite lack of 'nah nahs' but apart from that it's a gem.

Ready To Run2 of 12

Ready To Run

The riff sounds a little bit like Avicci’s wake me up, but DON'T WORRY. 1D aren't ripping anyone off, it all changes and it becomes clear this is very much a 1D original. The lyrics are a bit vague- pointing to a weird kind of Directioner philosophy about ‘chasing the sun’ ( reference to the now defunct boy band The Wanted) and implying that they want to run somewhere very, very fast. And that they’re ready. Whatever that means (but who cares, right?).

Where Do Broken Hearts Go3 of 12

Where Do Broken Hearts Go

Has the same vibe from their last album, we can imagine them jumping around and high-fiving each other in a super-cute goofy-like fashion. “Now I’m searching every lonely place, every corner calling out your name.”Asking the age old question (first posed by the legend that was Whitney Houston ) “where do broken hearts go?”. Harry also co-wrote this song, and lord knows he’s left a trail of broken hearts.

184 of 12

18

This track was written by Ed Sheeran and Passenger so how can it possibly be anything but perfection, right? But who is about? Which of the boys as been in love since they were 18? SO MANY QUESTIONS? The breakdown is pretty epic and we can totes imagine Niall (the token guitar player) rocking out with the actual 1D band to this.

Girl Almighty5 of 12

Girl Almighty

Hey, so this song is pretty cool. You can clap your hands to it and get a cool little bluesy, lyrical echo on the go. Plenty of, erm, religious undertones too if you’re into that kinda thing, and some rather interesting balloon imagery (yup, us neither).

Fools Gold6 of 12

Fools Gold

The whole band gathered around to write this one, contributing to what has turned out to be a bit of a labour of love on the boys’ part. Such deep lyrics though. “I’m not done falling for your fool’s gold.” Who might this be?? Someone who isn’t all they appear to be? A reality star maybe??? You said it not us…

Night Changes7 of 12

Night Changes

The second single from the album, the boys debuted this during Friday’s Children In Need. It’s all about dreams and how they're not real, even if they come true. Despite what happens you’re still the same person deep down etc. So deep lads. Way to bake a cake out of rainbows and smiles.The band wrote this one together too, meaning that despite their life changing overnight they’re ALL still the same down-to-earth lads, OKAY.

No Control8 of 12

No Control

Well this snazzy tune has a cool lil guitar riff. It’s all about having sex and not being able to resist your S.O. Inneresting. The bass guitar sounds almost ska-like, have the lads been listening to Gwen Stefani of No Doubt?? Obv, it def sounds like One Direction, but we’re scouring for clues on how Louis and Liam wrote this cheeky track.

Fireproof9 of 12

Fireproof

Again, a bit of a rock n roll guitar sound, have the lads been watching old 50s movies?? Buddy Holly would be so, so impressed. It sounds like a funkier version of Little Things without the cringe-inducing lyrics about squeezing into a pair of jeans that are clearly too small. The main gist is that it's about being with someone for so long nothing can come between you; you’re ‘fireproof’.

Spaces10 of 12

Spaces

So many echoes in the first few bars, like they sang this in an empty wardrobe. They sound so sad, so depressed. Do you lads want a hug? They're all intense and angsty, singing about stubborn lovers who just won’t GIVE IT UP. Can you imagine ever fighting with the likes of Harry and co??

Stockholm Syndrome11 of 12

Stockholm Syndrome

So Harry Styles wrote this one, which makes it pretty spesh. It’s about being ‘tied down’ in a relationship but totally loving it. C’mon now, is this about Kendall or Taylor??? Judging by the intensity of the lyrics we’re guessing TayTay. But have you heard her latest album? It’s like they’re having a chat through platinum records, which in the world of international popstars is the equivalent of an indirect Facebook status.

Clouds12 of 12

Clouds

Mysterious and moody Zayn helped pen this track, and despite his demeanour it's a bit of an upbeat, soon-to-be arena anthem. Although the title is fluffy and light (Clouds: where Care Bears cavort), it’s all fast riffs and ‘wooohooo’ing. With wise lyrics like ‘love is always changing’ and ‘another non-stop where it never ends’. Tragically, this is the last track on the album, we’re totally in the clouds now. Never, ever bring us back down 1D…

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