LONDON -- One Direction fans in Belfast were overwhelmingly disappointed and distraught Tuesday night after the band cancelled their show two minutes before they were due to take the stage in the SSE Arena.
According to a statement released on Facebook from promoter Aiken Promotions, the gig was pulled because Liam Payne was ill and unable to perform.
The One Direction show tonight has been cancelled as Liam has taken ill, and whilst not serious , he is unable to perform tonight. Please hold on to your tickets. A further statement will be made in the morning. The band apologise to the fans and wish Liam better.
After the announcement, the Belfast Telegraph reported that fans were seen in "floods of tears."
This was the moment fans found out.
** CANCELLED ** @onedirection cancel their #Belfast Concert @AMMGMedia #OneDirection #SSEArena #NorthernIreland pic.twitter.com/Slq7U1e3uz— AMMG (@AMMGMedia) October 20, 2015
Harry, Louis and Niall tweeted their disappointment.
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
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
But fans were upset and angry.
The sse arena was nearly flooded with the amount of girls crying #GetWellSoonLiam— Rebekah Clark (@becca100000) October 20, 2015
the arena after the announcement, my heart just broke #OTRABelfast pic.twitter.com/LdrAA7fpNy— zayn malik (@zjmskaterkid) October 20, 2015
@onedirection absolute disgrace in Belfast tonight! Such a sin on them poor kids waiting to see you. Don't be surprised if you loose fans!!!— Fiona Magill (@fionamagill) October 20, 2015
@BelfastLive @KylaHollywood @SSEBelfastArena a lot of very upset children. Lots of tears. They left it very late to tell everyone.— Marianne Cleary (@Marianne_Eire) October 20, 2015
@SSEBelfastArena @onedirection @Real_Liam_Payne sick eh?! Never seen devastated young kids like it!! #cancelled #belfast #OneDirection— Laura Gregg (@laurawylie86) October 20, 2015
one direction cancelled their first night in Belfast 2 minutes before they were about to go on, never seen so many distraught teenagers— hannah (@hannahmccrory) October 20, 2015
Angry.
Can't believe the one direction show was cancelled Made us wait till nine to tell us and then they didn't come out themselves @onedirection— Enya Glynn (@EnyaGlynn) October 20, 2015
One direction cancelled the concert , only stood there for over 3 hours waiting but thoughts are with you @Real_Liam_Payne Xxx— koc (@katieoconnor_x) October 20, 2015
camp16 hours for tickets in December. miss school and wait all day in the rain toget barrier to be told it's cancelled.thanks @onedirection— Olivia Rose (@IfYouSeeOlivia) October 20, 2015
Belfast's deputy mayor even weighed in.
Contacted by a One Direction fan who paid good money to see them tonight. Devastated, the band need to take a good look at themselves >— Guy Spence (@GuySpence) October 20, 2015
> I know that's no reflection of the promoter who did a great job to get them here, but to leave 9,000 people standing was a disgrace >— Guy Spence (@GuySpence) October 20, 2015
> I don't understand how if it isn't 'serious' they cancelled. We'll see what the bad say, and why they left so many young fans heartbroken!— Guy Spence (@GuySpence) October 20, 2015
But 1D fans were ultimately very understanding.
Heart broken about the #OTRABelfast show but I care more about you @Real_Liam_Payne #GetWellSoonLiam— AJ McMinn (@aj_mcm123) October 21, 2015
I really hope all is well. I really wanna see them but I want Liam to be ok #OTRABelfast #getwellsoonliam— TOMORROW? (@LmArePerfection) October 20, 2015
The whole fandom right now #GetWellSoonLiam #OTRABelfast pic.twitter.com/yRSgZMs22K— OTRABelfast2 (@sophie_fitz97) October 21, 2015
At the end of the day ...
Laim is in Payne #GetWellSoonLiam— Saralouise Hutton (@SaraLou_xx) October 20, 2015
Wednesday and Thursday night's shows will go ahead as planned, while Tuesday's has been moved to Friday evening.
UPDATED 12:30 p.m. BST to reflect new announcement.