Zayn, who was too poorly to fly out to the US for the band's Today Show appearance, said he was angry and upset by the claims
Matt Lauer has steered clear of his personal Twitter page, and it’s not hard to see why as Directioners have been tweeting The Today Show host – asking for him to be sacked from the show and in some extreme cases, making death threats.
The host, who had One Direction on his show on Monday (November 17), last tweeted about the boyband’s interview stating that he would definitely be asking about Zayn’s absence.
Lauer, who has been on the NBC since 1997, last tweeted: “Getting ready to watch @onedirection rehearse for the show. Zayn didn't make the trip to Orlando. We'll ask why before they play. #1DTODAY”.
Zayn was unable to make the appearance because of a “tummy bug” according to 1D’s Liam, and Zayn told The Sun that he was outraged by the line of questioning by Lauer when the rest of the band sat down for an interview.
"I'm really angry and upset by what was said. I was really ill at the weekend, that's why I couldn't fly to America,” Zayn told the newspaper.
Getting ready to watch @onedirection rehearse for the show. Zayn didn't make the trip to Orlando. We'll ask why before they play. #1DTODAY
— Matt Lauer (@MLauer) November 17, 2014 Now fans have been tweeting Lauer, with one writing: “matt lauer must die”.
Another Twitter user wrote: “your question about zayn was stupid and in bad taste. You suck as a "reporter", go to hell”.
One user, who claimed not to be a Directioner, wrote: “Matt Lauer is a pompous idiot and I dont even like 1D..but what he said and how he said it was insulting and rude.”
Others have called for the co-anchor to be sacked from his position: “you need to fire Matt Lauer immediately,” one tweet read.
One viewer thought that Lauer’s question was not suitable for the young audience, as they wrote: “thinks he's SO hard hitting but really he's an insensitive and crass pig. How dare he ask a question like that in front of children!”
While another added: “You're a disgusting piece of s***. That question was extremely inappropriate. What were you thinking? Have some decency.”
During the band's Today Show appearance, Matt Lauer asked his four bandmates: “There have been rumours of substance abuse, what’s going on?”
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Zayn was left reeling after Matt Lauer kick started his interview with the rest of the band by asking: “Let’s start with the obvious. Where’s Zayn?”
Liam Payne responded that Malik had a "tummy bug so he’s not very well," adding, "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."
The pushy presenter wasn't satisfied and asked again: "Liam, 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 rumors of substance abuse. What’s going on?"
A shocked Liam replied: "No, he’s just got a stomach bug. He’s okay. He’s just at home. He just needs to rest. He’s okay."
His rep told Mirror Online: "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."
The Today Show then appeared to add to that, by writing on Twitter: "Where's Zayn? @OneDirection says he has a "tummy bug." #1DTODAY."
Liam confirmed Zayn was suffering from a bug, when speaking to hosts Matt Lauer and Al Roker.
Where's Zayn? @OneDirection says he has a "tummy bug." #1DTODAY
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) November 17, 2014 "He’s got a tummy bug so he’s not very well," Liam said.
"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."
As a result, #GetWellSoonZayn is (unsurprisingly) trending on Twitter as fans pass on their well wishes.
Watch more from the show here.
