One Direction star's heated Twitter row with ex bandmate

Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson have gotten in a brutal twitter spat. Photo / Getty Images

Zayn Malik has blasted Louis Tomlinson for making "bitchy comments" about his life.

The former One Direction star, who dramatically quit the British boy band in March, lashed out at his former bandmate on Twitter after the Story of My Life hitmaker got into another heated argument with music producer Naughty Boy, who is helping Malik record his first solo music.

Defending his friend, Zayn tweeted:

@Louis_Tomlinson remember when you had a life and stopped making bitchy comments about mine ?

— zayn (@zaynmalik) May 6, 2015

The spat between the long-time pals, who previously insisted they would remain close despite Malik leaving the band, erupted after Tomlinson mocked a picture filter Naughty Boy - whose real name is Shahid Khan - used on an image of him and Zayn in the recording studio.

Remember when you were 12 and you used to think those Mac filters for your pictures were cool haha ! Some people still do HA!

— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) May 6, 2015

The La La La producer responded:

@Louis_Tomlinson and some people can't even sing.. but who's complaining when there's auto tune eh 😎

— Naughty Boy (@NaughtyBoyMusic) May 6, 2015

Louis then accused Naughty Boy of "riding on the back of someone else's career," but the 30-year-old DJ fired back.

@Louis_Tomlinson Yeah how does it feel mate? You've been doing that for the last five years... I've got Emeli Sande and Sam smith on my CV 💪

— Naughty Boy (@NaughtyBoyMusic) May 6, 2015

The 23-year-old Night Changes singer insisted on defending his vocal ability and having the last word, writing: "good for you, well done !! I think we've done alright in terms of sales and I've happened to write on most. Keep trying!"

This isn't the first time the duo have become embroiled in public feud.

Tomlinson also slammed the producer on Twitter after he first sparked rumours Malik was going solo by linking to an old Soundcloud recording featuring the singer shortly after he quit the boy band.

- Bang! Showbiz