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THREE days after the tragic death of LOUIS TOMLINSON’s mum, there was an emotional reunion of ONE DIRECTION behind-the-scenes at the X Factor.

As HARRY STYLES, LIAM PAYNE and NIALL HORAN flew in from around the world to get Louis through the night as he performed the emotional track Just Hold On, the band’s former member ZAYN MALIK was missing.

11 Louis Tomlinson has spoken for the first time about his major bust up with his former One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik Credit: Dan Jones

Despite committing to support grief-stricken Louis, he didn’t bother to show up – which he reveals severed already-strained relations between the former best friends and bandmates.

Louis opens up about the devastating incident for the first time on the new episode of my podcast The Dan Wootton Interview, which you can subscribe to for free wherever you listen to podcasts.

When I asked about his relations with Zayn, he tells me: “Truthfully it never really got better.

“I had a couple of calls with him after I lost my mum and all the boys had agreed to come to that performance and he didn't show so that really bugged me.

11 Louis told The Sun's Executive Editor Dan Wootton that Zayn failed to show up to The X Factor and support him following his mum's death with Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Niall Horan despite promising that he would Credit: Getty - Contributor

Without Zayn, the four-piece bonded again in grief for the first time since their split. “I've got goosebumps now,” Louis says remembering the night. “It was just seeing everyone there – Harry, Niall and Liam – that was what I needed that night, that support.”

Then referring to Zayn again, he adds: “So on the other end of the spectrum it kind of really showed. So, eh, I hope he's alright, but...”

At this point, Louis gives a one-fingered salute to the microphone.

It’s not hard to understand why Zayn’s snub hurt so much.

11 Louis' mum Johannah Deakin lost her life in 2016

The death of his mum Johannah Deakin – 1D’s biggest supporter – was a life-changing moment for Louis, which he sings about on emotional new single called Two Of Us where he sings, “the day that they took you, I wish it was me instead.”

Louis says of the lyrics: “In that situation that is your first thought actually. That specific message I know is hard hitting but is also a universal feeling through grief.”

11 Louis performed Just Hold On during The X Factor just days after she passed away because he said it's what she wanted him to do Credit: ITV

11 His emotional performance had the studio audience and viewers at home in tears Credit: ITV

Louis hasn’t sought grief counselling but has coped because of the need to step up and lead his family.

“Because I'm the oldest there's a lot of responsibility that falls on my head and that's kept me driven, that's kept me determined really and that's helped with going through all that stuff,” he says.

11 Louis, here with Dan, also opened up about his relationship with his girlfriend Eleanor Calder Credit: Dan Jones

These days, Louis makes many career decisions, from judging on the X Factor to playing piano on his new single, based on what his mum would have wanted him to do.

He explains: “I get nervous in this job but that it actually helps me. It's like, 'OK I'm determined that I'll do it for us really.’”

Reuniting with his long-time girlfriend Eleanor Calder – “The One”, he admits, breaking millions of hearts around the world – was a key factor in keeping him together.

“She was and has continued to be absolutely vital to me. And we got to see me mum together before she passed so that [was] really special, really special.

“I love her to bits man – and when you're going through the most devastating time you need people around you that you love and love you, you know what I mean.”

11 The Doncaster born singer has a young son with Briana Jungwirth Credit: Getty - Contributor

11 And now has a three-year-old son, Freddie, who he has a good relationship with

He’s also had to grow up and lose his bad boy of pop reputation after becoming dad to Freddie Reign, his son with ex Briana Jungwirth.

Now three-years-old, his ”little legend” is a “good boy” with a “little mischievous streak in him”, not surprising given his cheeky dad.

But disturbing is the thousands of 1D fans, who support a theory called Larry Stylinson that has long (and very wrongly) claimed Louis is in a secret relationship with bandmate Harry.

They claim, with all seriousness, that Freddie is a doll designed to distract the world from the truth.

11 But is now back with Eleanor, a model and influencer, following their short lived split

I ask Louis how he feels about such bizarre scrutiny of his personal life and he responds: “I thought it was disrespectful to Freddie and also they've often speculated about Eleanor as well.

“But in the end it's so far fetched that it's just like I don't even know what to say about it you know what I mean.

“It's like, ‘You believe that?’ It's a little bit worrying. Makes me question other conspiracies that I've bought into in the past.”

It does lead us to discuss some of the many concerns around social media. Louis owes much his fame to Twitter and Instagram – 1D were the first global pop phenomenon that spread thanks to those platforms.

11 Louis and Zayn, here in happier times, with One Direction Credit: Getty Images - Getty

But Louis now says: “You do see a lot of dark and I think everyone should be conscious of just how much they're on the social medias.

“You've got to remember social media's relatively new, you know what I mean, we don't really know what it's capable on both ends of the spectrum.”

Louis says companies like Facebook and Google have a “massive massive responsibility” to their users, especially the younger ones who can be exploited.

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“People trust these platforms and of course they trust the people on them,” he contends.”

Realistically, a 1D reunion seems completely off the table, with Harry – who Louis admits he is the least close to in the band – believed to be reluctant.

But Louis says it is a “no brainer” that the band will get back together, he just can’t say when.

He vows: “Honestly I'll be the first name on the team sheet, I'll be signing it straight away I tell you. You feel like we’ve got a responsibility actually to come back to these people.”

Just don’t expect Zayn to show up.