Brit awards winners One Direction have been snubbed by Capital FM after they thanked BBC Radio 1 rather than the Global Radio station at the UK music industry's biggest night of the year.

The former X Factor contestants, signed to Simon Cowell's Syco label, won the best single award at Tuesday's Brits, as voted for by listeners of Capital FM and iTunes users.

But accepting the award for their song, What Makes You Beautiful, at London's O2 Arena and in front of more than 6 million ITV1 viewers, band member Harry Styles said a "massive thank you to Radio 1".

Global Radio boss Ashley Tabor and his director of programming Richard Park, who were at the Brits, were both said to be upset by the incident.

An appearance by One Direction planned for Wednesday on Capital was dropped. The band are also understood to have been bumped down the station's playlist with their music said to be conspicuous only by its absence this morning.

"One Direction as far as Capital are concerned are only going in one direction," said one industry source.

The gaffe was seized on Radio 1 DJs including breakfast presenter Chris Moyles who tweeted: "Best British single voted by listeners to Capital FM, One Direction. Harry Styles said 'a massive thank you to Radio 1' HaHa Nice one!"

Global's talent division manages One Direction's boyband rivals The Wanted, who were also shortlisted for the best single prize.

A spokesman for Global Radio declined to comment.

Cowell, who signed the band after their appearance on The X Factor, tweeted: "Fantastic news. Congrats @onedirection I am very proud of you."

One Direction's PR company, Hackford Jones, later issued a statement on behalf of the band thanking Capital.

"One Direction forgot to thank the Capital Radio listeners last night when picking up their Brit award for best British single," Hackford Jones said in a statement.

"This was an oversight as the boys were caught up in the excitement of winning. The band would like take this opportunity to thank Capital Radio and all their listeners for their support and for voting for them."

• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediatheguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".

• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook.