Naughty Boy believes there's no real ''bad blood'' between Zayn Malik and the One Direction boys.

The producer has been speaking out on behalf of his friend since he quit 1D in March and defended him when his former bandmate Louis Tomlinson launched a verbal broadside against him on Twitter.

Despite the online spat and the initial ''anger'' Liam Payne revealed the four remaining members felt when Zayn told them he was walking out on the group, Naughty Boy is sure they are still friends and share a close bond because of the incredible journey they were on together.

Speaking to BANG Showbiz at The 60th Anniversary Ivor Novello Awards, he said: ''I don't think there's any real bad blood, especially from this side. I just want people to support him and prepare for his future. I think people just need to respect his reasons for leaving.

''Right now it's down time for Zayn but I think there is a journey for him, I think for any kind of band there has to be a destiny for each of them. Nothing lasts forever.''

The 'La La La' hitmaker decided to take it upon himself to be Zayn's defender as the fallout from his departure ensued because the pop heartthrob he has to maintain ''radio silence'' until he's ready to tell his story.

He explained: ''He's in a very difficult position. He won't tell his side of the story yet and that's why there has to be radio silence ... (I spoke out for him) because that's the rock n roll in me, I'm not going to take s**t from anybody. I took my own road to get here, I'm not part of a PR machine, or discovery and marketing. I've done it all myself. I've done whatever it takes to get here. But I do feel a bit sorry for the fans because they've been brought up with this.''