Music mogul Simon Cowell hopes One Direction's fans will "stay loyal" to the band following the leaked video showing band members Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson smoking cannabis while on tour in Peru.

Cowell is standing by the band - who he put together on the 2010 series of "The X Factor" Britain - following the recent leaked cannabis smoking video shot while on tour in Peru, something which isn't illegal in the South American country, and is hoping their fans will support them too, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Asked what he thought of the video, 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. I hope the fans stay loyal."

The band also comprises Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Harry Styles.