Simon Cowell has encouraged One Direction fans to stay supportive of the band after they were caught up in a drugs row.

The group's Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson were seen in a leaked video from April passing around a joint in a van in Peru.

This brought into question the band's status as role models to young fans, but Syco boss Cowell told Bang Showbiz that he hopes fans can see past the clip.

He said: "I can't really comment on that, what I can say, because I've worked with the boys for a long time, they are the hardest working boys I've ever worked with.

"They still haven't changed, they're really respectful to their fans, they're hard working, a great British export but that's all I can really say."

Cowell added: "I hope the fans stay loyal."

Watch the joint video below: