One Direction cancels Belfast gig minutes before due to appear on stage after Liam Payne falls ill

One Direction, which is on a three-night gig in Belfast cancelled their concert in the last minute just minutes before they were supposed to take to the stage. The band's representative said Liam Payne had taken ill suddenly and as such the concert could not take place.

The announcement was made after 9pm tonight (20 October) after the supporting act Jamie Lawson had already performed at the SSE Arena. Fans who had travelled from Holland, France, Greece and further were disappointed as this may be their last chance to see the boy band in concert before they go their separate ways next year.

The band's representative said: "Unfortunately One Direction have had to cancel tonight's concert in Belfast. Liam has been taken suddenly ill, and the concert will sadly not be taking place. Fans have been asked to hold onto their tickets and there will be a further statement tomorrow. The band apologise to their fans and wish Liam well as soon as possible."

Aiken Promotions said in a statement: "The show tonight has been cancelled as Liam has taken ill, and whilst not serious, he is unable to perform tonight."

One person tweeted that fans had been queuing up from 5am in the morning for the gig. "Plenty of tears and emotional teenagers. There were concerns over Liam's health as this is the second event that he had pulled out due to ill health.

After the three night gig in Belfast, the band is scheduled to play in Newcastle Upon Tyne on 25 October at the Metro Radio Arena. It is not known if the show will still go on tomorrow night.

Local media have noted that this is not the first event that Laim had pulled out. Apparently, he did not appear at the Attitude Magazine Awards last week, also reportedly due to ill health.