There’s the 11th hour and then there’s this.
The crowd were in their seats and the support had already played last night at the Belfast Arena when the announcement was made that One Direction would not be taking to the stage.
Lots of angry upset #OneDirection fans in @SSEBelfastArena concert has been cancelled! pic.twitter.com/ZaYh9BpHCT
— Belfast Live (@BelfastLive) October 20, 2015
As reports emerged that band member Liam Payne had taken ill, his fellow band members, who didn’t face the crowd on the night, took to social media to issue their apologies:
So sorry we have had to cancel tonight guys. Unfortunately these things happen… Thank you to all who came down tonight !
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) October 20, 2015
Deepest apologies to everyone at the show tonight in Belfast. Very disappointed, but unfortunately these things happen. We’re very sorry. H
— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) October 20, 2015
We’re so so sorry for what happened tonight, it was out of our control ! Lots of love to Liam and thank you for being so understanding !
— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) October 20, 2015
With three remaining band remembers, it seems a bit odd that the band they didn’t continue with the show in some capacity.
If you’re thinking – how many times did Noel cover for Liam? – then yes, so are we.
Many of One Direction’s loyal fans took to social media to show their support for the band and the stricken Payne but Nordie newsreader, Eamonn Holmes was pulling no punches:
I don’t care who was sick in #OneDirection Direction. Rest of them should have had the decency & maturity to appear on stage and explain.
— Eamonn Holmes (@EamonnHolmes) October 20, 2015
The show was the first of three live performances in Belfast and it remains unclear if the other two shows will be cancelled.
As they left the arena fans were told to hold onto their tickets.
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