AceShowbiz -

As promised, One Direction appeared on "Today" show on Monday, November 17, the day their newest album "FOUR" was released. Zayn Malik's fans, however, were left a bit disappointed as their idol wasn't there to join his bandmates Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan.

When host Matt Lauer asked where Malik was, Payne said, "He's got a tummy bug so he's not very well at the moment, so he couldn't make it over. We only found out this morning, so we're very sad and he is, as well, that he can't be here for our album release day. It's still going to be a really great day."

Lauer didn't seem to believe Payne's explanation. "There's been a lot of action on social media about him," he asked again. "Is it something more serious than just a minor illness? There have been rumors of substance abuse. What's going on?" Payne insisted his pal was okay, telling the host he just "got a stomach bug" and he's "at home," resting.

One Direction still had to perform as scheduled although Malik couldn't join them at Universal CityWalk at Universal Orlando Resort. The group played some of their hits, including the lead "FOUR" single "Steal My Girl", before a crowd of about 15,000 Directioners.