One Direction cancel Belfast concert at last minute

One Direction cancelled a Belfast concert at the last minute after singer Liam Payne became ill, according to the promoter.

The pop band were due on stage at about 8.30pm at the SSE Arena, but Payne (22) was reportedly sick.

In a statement, Aiken PR said: “The show tonight has been cancelled as Liam has taken ill, and whilst not serious, he is unable to perform tonight.”

Fans were asked to hold on to their tickets and await information.

The promoter’s spokeswoman added: “A further statement will be made in the morning (Wednesday). The band apologise to the fans and wish Liam better.”

Fans had already gathered inside the concert venue, and had listened to the band’s support act, before the cancellation announcement was made shortly after 9pm.

Michael Green, who took his six-year-old daughter to the show, told the BBC he was "disgusted" at how fans had been treated.

He described how he had to make his way out of the arena past “hundreds and hundreds” of weeping young girls and women.

Mr Green, originally from London said he spent had £140 on two tickets and more on merchandise and food inside the venue.

The cancelled show was the first of three sold out One Direction concerts booked at the Belfast venue over consecutive nights.