One Direction fans and their parents turned on the band today after a video emerged showing two members sharing a roll-up 'joint' on the Latin America leg of their world tour.

The footage has since sparked a race row as viewers claim Louis Tomlinson can be heard to say a shortened version of the 'N' word.



The MailOnline exclusive footage of Zayn Malik, 21, smoking and joking about marijuana with Louis Tomlinson, 22, has led to several 'Directioners' ripping up, burning or selling their tickets for the upcoming gigs in the UK, Europe and America.

Some have demanded the two members apologise for their actions because they are 'role models with a young fan base'.

But others have said they 'still love' the band and accused critics of not being 'true fans'.



Drug charities and parent groups have also turned on the stars for failing to take 'real responsibility as role models' to millions of children.



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First appearance: Zayn Malik looked glum as he was driven away from The Lowry Hotel in Salford yesterday in what is his first appearance since the controversial video emerged The 21-year-old star, pictured in a Jeep guarded by security, was photographed hours before going on stage in Sunderland last night The singer has been the subject of a Twitter storm after footage emerged of him 'smoking a joint' in Peru

'Controversial content': Zayn lights up a rolled up cigarette as he and Louis Tomlinson are driven to their gig in Lima, Peru, as they make jokes about smoking drugs



Upset: Some One Direction fans have said they have destroyed or sold tickets because they are angry about the video

Support: Others accused critics of not being 'true fans' for turning on the boys and boycotting gigs

It comes as the first pictures emerged of Zayn looking tired in a beanie hat hours before taking to the stage in Sunderland yesterday.

The star, pictured in a security-guarded Jeep outside The Lowry Hotel in Salford, performed at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland last night.

A Metro strike disrupting the city's transport was called off, allowing the 50,000 fans to make their way smoothly.

Anyone hoping for some reference, or even an apology, from the band last night was left disappointed.



Louis looked tried and worn out, with bags under his eyes, during the first concert of the UK tour in Sunderland, while Zayn barely uttered a word.



The only reference to the scandal was made by Liam, who joked about his skinny jeans then, in response to something shouted by a member of the crowd, added: ‘No more media attention, please.’



All the boys repeatedly thanked fans for being there.’



Before they went on, parents outside their venue said they are 'disgusted' by their actions.

RACE ROW: THE MOMENT FANS CLAIM LOUIS TOMLINSON USED SHORT VERSION OF THE N-WORD

They can be seen lighting up a roll-up in the footage and passing it around in the car that is escorting them to the Estadio Nacional, where they performed to a 40,000 capacity crowd.

The pair joked about passing police officers being so close to the vehicle they would be able to ‘smell an illegal substance in there’.

Louis then referred to the ‘joint’, saying: ‘It’s green only, nig.’

The word appears to be a shorted version of the n-word.

The pair then go on to a discussion in which the word ‘gay’ is used in a derogatory fashion, leading to further criticism today.

Julie Talbott, from Sunderland, who was taking daughter Emma, 16, to the band's gig tonight said: 'It is disgusting. It is completely wrong, they get paid so much money and they spend it on drugs. It is a bad message for children, I have heard kids talking in the queue saying it is all right. They think if the boys do it then they can do it. I could kill them as they have taken over my daughter's life for three years and she would never do it but it is worrying'.

Mentor, the alcohol and drug protection charity said: 'Zayn and Louis have a great opportunity to be a good role model for young people but they blow it here.



'We hope their young fans are not swayed by their example'.

Nick Barton, Chief Executive Action on Addiction added: 'Young people often experiment with drugs and alcohol. It can be the case that some young people are influenced by their immediate peers and others might alter their behaviour on account of high profile young celebrities'.

The video, exclusively published by MailOnline, is also likely to shock the parents of their many millions of young fans.

In the footage band member Louis Tomlinson, 22, narrates from behind the camera, laughingly announcing, ‘So here we are, leaving Peru. Joint lit. Happy days!’

‘What do you think about that kind of content?’ he asks bandmate Zayn Malik, 21, who is alongside him in the SUV ferrying them to Peru’s Estadio Nacional in Lima where One Direction performed to a 40,000 capacity crowd on April 27 as part of their 'Where We Are' tour.

‘Very controversial,’ Zayn responds.

Louis later giggles as he films their police escort and says, 'I ’m sure I can smell an illegal substance in there.” And he’s hit the nail on the head.’

Last night: Zayn and Louis interact on stage between songs at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland last night

Anyone hoping for a reference to the footage was left disappointed as Zayn barely said a word between singing

Harry Styles arrived at Newcastle International Airport on a separate private jet to Louis and Zayn ahead of One Direction's performance in Sunderland yesterday

Niall Horan (left) and Liam Payne (right) are also seen getting out of the band's private jet this evening



Hit maker: Zayn takes a draw on the roll up. Before they began their journey someone can be heard asking: 'Are we allowed to talk contraband in this?'

Warm up: Louis can be heard joking that 'Mary J' is 'one very very important factor of Zayn’s warm up'

Happy daze: At one point during the video, Louis asks: 'How is it Zayn?' Pausing a beat before he exhales Zayn replies: 'Nice'. Zayn blows smoke at the camera and says: 'I know you like dat, bro'

During the 15-minute journey Louis and Zayn joke with each other and the three members of their team travelling with them. Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Niall Horan, all 20, are not in the car but presumably elsewhere in the band’s convoy making its way through the streets.

Louis starts filming while the team prepare to leave. Overhearing discussions between what appears to be a member of the band’s security and the driver he says with delight, ‘It’s about the joint. What a great thing to capture in a different language. They were just asking if it’s okay.’

FANS AND PARENTS REACT TO MAILONLINE 'JOINT' EXCLUSIVE

Parents Julie and Alan Huntington, from Peterlee, County Durham, whose daughter, Jessica, 14, was going to the gig with a friend, said they were concerned by the footage.

Mrs Huntington, 45, a customer service adviser, said: 'They look up to the band so when they see the boys doing this it is worrying.'

Mr Huntington, 41, an electrician, said: 'As parents we are always trying to tell our children that taking drugs is wrong and then you have the band they look up to taking drugs themselves. You're constantly fighting a losing battle.'

Lisa Loftus, 31, a teaching assistant from Seaham, Country Durham, who was taking daughter Aimee, 13, and her friend Sarah Harrison, 13, to the show, said: 'Our children look up to the band and by doing what they have done they are telling them it is ok to behave like that. When they have such young fans it is worrying. They should be showing their fans how to act as children are very influential.'

Michelle Anderson, 46, and her daughter Chloe, 12, from Newcastle, were also attending the gig. Mrs Anderson said: 'My daughter is 12 and she has her own mind so I know she wouldn't be influenced, but other younger children easily could be. If you are that way inclined and don't have parents telling you what is right and wrong then they think it is cool and could do it themselves.'



Laura Baker, 16, from South Shields, who was going to the gig with her friends, said: 'It is a bad example on younger fans but we are older so we know what is right and wrong.'



A member of the team asks about the filming: ‘Are we allowed to talk contraband in this?’

Louis replies: 'Yes, that's what it is about.'

Driving into the sunlight from an underground parking lot, Louis says, ‘I want to light up,’ and a member of the team hands him a lighter and the flicker of a roll up being lit is caught on camera.

The sight of a police officer on a motorbike escorting them, is met with great excitement. Louis notes: ‘That’s the police. That’s the po po. One-nil.’ He coughs and a cloud of smoke, floats across the camera lens and Louis yells, ‘Smokescreen baby!’

Later in the video, Louis pans to a police motorcyclist just yards away. Louis giggles, ‘One nil b***h! Look at this b***h! He’s having a look. He’s thinking, “I’m sure I can smell an illegal substance in there.” And he’s hit the nail on the head.’

Louis adopts a faux serious tone as he focuses on Zayn who sits beside him wearing jeans and a Bob Marley T-shirt, ‘Zayn takes his job very seriously. He makes sure he goes through a two hour intense warm-up before every show. Just to get himself in the zone for the show.

‘One very very important factor of Zayn’s warm up of course if Mary J herself. In fact I will present it to him now for some fantastic singing.’

At this Zayn smilingly accepts what appears to be the lit joint and takes a drag. ‘How is it Zayn?’ Louis asks. Pausing a beat before he exhales Zayn replies, ‘Nice.’

After a half-hearted attempt to film ‘a bit of the culture’ with footage of the street beyond the SUV, Louis pans back to Zayn allowing the focus to drop to the smoking ‘joint’ in his hand and asks, ‘How’s that kind of culture?’



Zayn replies, ‘It’s great. It’s going to be even greater culture when we get to Jamaica.’

At times members of the band’s team can be heard talking about ‘chicken.’ At the beginning of the journey Louis asks ‘are we all right for chicken?’



It isn’t clear what is meant by ‘chicken’ as the guys joke and laugh in increasingly high spirits.



On the first occasion that chicken is mentioned one of the band’s support team can be heard saying ‘we got a full chicken’ just as the crew member seated in the front passenger seat passes something back and across to his colleague seated in front of Louis in the six-seater SUV.



Later, a member of the team can be heard saying ‘I’ve got an update. We got chicken in Chile.’ Zayn and Louis chime in with much hilarity, ‘We got Chile Chicken. Chile Chicken baby!’

Message: This tweet reflects some of the anger online at the 'irresponsible' actions of Zayn and Louis in Peru

Emotional: Fans who 'love the band' have been left disappointed by the 'joint' incident

Taking in the sights and smells: At one point, Louis pans to the streets and says he's capturing the local culture. He then focuses back on the roll up cigarette and asks 'How's that kind of culture?'



'Stubbsy!' Louis exclaims happily when passed the roll up cigarette as he holds it very close to the camera



Passed around: Zayn gives the cigarette to one of his minders in the SUV, who later passes it to Louis

Taunt: At one point Louis pans to a police motorbike escorting the convoy. He says: 'He’s having a look. He’s thinking, "I'm sure I can smell an illegal substance in there." And he’s hit the nail on the head'

Support: Other fans said they would always love One Direction, whatever they did

Moments from the stadium, with the sound of excited crowds’ screaming in the background talk in the vehicle turns to band merchandise.



Zayn describes One Direction’s last book as ‘so girly and not cool.’ As Louis is passed the tail end of the roll up, he exclaims ‘Ooo stubbsy!’ and brings it close to the camera.



‘I’m just wondering now, we’re sitting here in Peru. Will this come back to me? Who knows? Maybe. Maybe not'

- Louis Tomlinson



The pair discuss wanting a book that reflects ‘what we’re up to now…Full of sick pictures…sick s*** instead of boring c***’ that both are ‘sure the fans are tired of reading.’

Zayn talks admiringly about the Kid Rock book he has recently seen in which the star is pictured ‘Smoking a J and sticking up his middle finger'.

Earlier in a moment of clarity amid the fug of smoke, Louis pondered, ‘I’m just wondering now, we’re sitting here in Peru. Will this come back to me? Who knows? Maybe. Maybe not.’



With the emergence of the film he may not have to wait very long for his answer.

Fans reacted to seeing the video on MailOnline today.

Excited: Young fans from brave the rain to arrive early at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland for tonight's One Direction gig

Popular: Huge crowds have already formed at the Sunderland venue where fans hope to see the five band members before the gig

@mychemicaIiam wrote: 'WOW zouis smoking completely ruined my love for one direction I'm burning my ticket as we speak!!! Can't believe them'

@London_StylesXx said: '@onedirection If you boys are Smoking.. seriously cut it out.. im so angry and sad right now.. dont smoke.



@1_dimages tweeted: 'I love One Direction but this zouis smoking thing is sad. Why would they do that. It's all messed up'.

BBC OFFERS UNSTINTING SUPPORT

While One Direction faced furious criticism, they were offered unstinting support from one quarter – the BBC.

The corporation will devote 45 minutes on Radio 1 this afternoon to an interview with the band when they are encouraged to plug their music and boast about their drunken escapades.

The interview, with Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, was recorded before the controversial video emerged.

But by playing it so soon after the video revelations, the BBC will give One Direction a publicity boost when their profile is under threat.

But others rushed to defend the band.

@lemmuhybbag said: 'I'll always be a fan of one direction they can do almost anything and i'll still love them, smoking pot isn't a huge deal'.

@CheBeeeee wrote: 'I still love One Direction.I don't care about the smoking thingy. I love them especially Zayn'.

Nicola Lamond of Netmums said: 'Popstars doing drugs is nothing new – but when you market your music to pre-teen children, you take on real responsibility as a role model.



'Parents need to know their infant and junior age child’s idol won’t be caught outdoing anything illegal or immoral.



'While some people will argue this video was shot in private and so should be ignored, it exposes how naïve Zayn and his management have been as there are always people willing to make money off the back of someone else’s success. Perhaps he needs to do some work with a charity specialising in helping children over come the terrible effects of drug addiction in their family.'

The film could damage the plans of Simon Cowell to build on their huge American success and grow the band to superstar status - with the two members caught on film now facing the possibility of being barred from entering the U.S., where they are due to tour over the summer.

The band has just returned from South America and is due to play the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, UK, this evening, before touring the UK and Europe.

Edgy: One Direction perform at BBC Radio 1's Big weekend at Glasgow Green on Saturday. The boy band have grown up a lot since they became superstars after being runners-up on the X Factor in 2010



Fall out: Louis, left, ponders loudly on the video of his and Zayn's (right) journey: 'I'm just wondering now, we're sitting here in Peru. Will this come back to me? Who knows? Maybe. Maybe not'

Stars: Louis, Zayn, Niall, Harry and Louis pose after winning an MTV award in New York last year

They are then scheduled to head back over the Atlantic to Canada and North America in August, although with allegations of illegal drug taking, they could be banned from entering.

According to Peruvian law, possession of marijuana is not punishable if used for personal and immediate consumption in quantities not exceeding eight grams.



U.S. authorities are far stricter, however, and notoriously barred Nigella Lawson from entering the country after she admitted drug use during a court trial last year.



One Direction topped the U.S. Box Office last summer with their film ‘This Is Us,’ which followed them on a previous tour.

Asked by journalists why there was no footage of any 'sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll' normally associated with pop stars, Louis said: ‘We like to think we're rock and roll, but we're not really.’

A spokesman for One Direction tonight told MailOnline: 'The matter is now in the hands of our lawyers'.