One Direction
Liam Payne apologised on behalf of his band mates. One Direction / Twitter

One Direction singer Liam Payne has apologised on behalf of his band mates after a video was leaked showing Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson appearing to smoke "a joint."

The video footage obtained by the Mail Online, showed the pop idols apparently smoking the drugs in a car in Peru last month, as the pair were escorted to a show at the Estadio Nacional in Lima, Peru, where they performed to a 40,000-strong crowd.

Tomlinson, who is believed to have filmed the five-minute video, was heard saying: "So here we are, leaving Peru. Joint lit. Happy days!"

While no apology has been forthcoming from either Malik or Tomlinson, Payne admitted things have "gone a little sideways".

Writing on Twitter he said: "We all have a lot of growing up to do in an extreme circumstance.... I'm not making excuses but its fact we are gunna [sic] fall short somewhere."

"I love my boys and maybe things have gone a little sideways I apologise for that. We are only in our 20's we all do stupid things at this age," he added.

He also thanked fans for sticking with the band during the controversy.

"Hopefully we stand the test of time an get it right in the end I don't take this for granted and I'm extremely grateful to be here doing this."

"Thank you to everyone who has stuck with us through this just know that we love you guys for it and it means the world."

In the wake of the alleged drugs scandal, disappointed fans and their parents have been expressing their outrage by tearing up concert tickets for the UK leg of the Where We Are tour. Many have re-sold their tickets for a fraction of the original cost.

Zayn Malik engaged to Perrie Edwards
Zayn Malik was seen in the video smoking what appeared to be a joint. Reuters

Payne's comments come as Harry Styles reportedly blasted his fellow band mates for being "stupid and reckless," fuelling concerns that the division between the fans and discontent in the band could lead to the British group splitting up.

Styles has even taken to flying in a separate private jet to his band mates because he does not like their smoking.

The revelations of drug use by members of the band may jeopardise the 39-date United States leg of the tour if Malik and Tomlinson are banned from the United States by immigration authorities.

A spokesperson for the band said the issue was in the hands of their lawyers.