Zayn Malik is angry over drug speculations

London: One Direction singer Zayn Malik is upset after being accused of having a drug problem.

The 21-year-old singer is 'gutted' to have missed a promotional trip to America to plug his band's new album 'Four' after falling ill at the weekend and was horrified when his bandmates were quizzed on live TV about the unsubstantiated allegations, reported Contactmusic.

"I'm really angry and upset by what was said on a television  show. I was really ill at the weekend, that's why I couldn't fly to America. As soon as I'm feeling better I'm going to join the guys and carry on with the promotion for the album. I was gutted to have to miss album release day. But I'm going to be back as soon as I can.''

The 'Steal My Girl' hitmaker spoke out after host Matt Lauer queried his absence, asking the rest of the group, "There have been rumours of substance abuse, what's going on?"

As watching fans booed, Niall Horan shook his head in anger while Liam Payne replied, "No, he's just got a stomach bug, he's ok. He's just at home. He just needs to rest. He's ok. 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."

Malik was the subject of a leaked video earlier this year in which he appeared to be smoking a marijuana-laced cigarette.