One Direction split with manager 'after row with Zayn Malik'

SPLIT: One Direction's manager left after an alleged row with Zayn Malik [SPLASH]

Paul Higgins has worked with the lads since they got together on X Factor, they even used to call him Daddy as a joke.
It's been claimed the manager walked out on 1D following a bust-up with Zayn Malik.
The boy band are currently in America promoting new album, Four, apparently Higgins flew back after a clash with the singer.
It has been reported their falling out was a contributing factor in Zayn's absence during the group's appearance on NBC's today show.

DEPARTED: Paul has been working with the band since 2010 [BARCROFT]

“There have been issues behind the scenes for a while and they've finally come to a head”

An insider

One Direction put Zayn's no-show down to a nasty stomach bug, they – and millions of their die-hard fans – were left fuming when the NBC presenter Matt Lauer asked if substance abuse problems were the real cause.
Perrie Edward's fiancé later insisted he was "really ill".
The reason behind the rift is unclear, but it is rumoured to have been sparked after Harry, Louis, Niall, Liam and Zayn joined musical A-listers such as Sir Bob Geldof and Bono to record their lyrics to the BandAid 30 single.
An insider said: "There have been issues behind the scenes for a while and they've finally come to a head leading to Paul's relationship with the band coming to an end."

ABSENT: Zayn didn't show up for all of the band's US commitments [SPLASH]

Paul flew home on Wednesday, before Zayn's transatlantic flight on Thursday.
The source told the Mirror: "In many ways he [Paul] has completely run the show while they've been on tour – they even call him daddy. He's always been at the heart of the One Direction team."
He has previously worked with Westlife, Girls Aloud and Boyzone, he is understood to be one of the most respected as a true professional in his field.