One Direction fans have been left inconsolable after the band's Tuesday night gig at Belfast's SSE Arena was cancelled at the very last minute.
A statement, which flashed up during the safety announcements just before the show was set to begin, claimed that Liam Payne had been taken ill and was unable to perform.
Thousands of disappointed fans were collected by parents in the rain after the four-piece left it until 30 minutes before showtime to inform the crowds of the cancellation.
Cancelled: One Direction have been forced to back out of their Thursday night show at Belfast's SSE Arena after Liam Payne (left) was taken suddenly ill
The Belfast Telegraph reported that 30,000 fans in Northern Ireland had splashed out more than £1.6million on tickets for Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam's three sell-out shows at the venue.
None of the four-piece addressed the crowd personally, leaving a representative for the venue to come out on stage and read the statement.
Harry took to Twitter just after 10pm - one hour after the scheduled start time - to say: 'Deepest apologies to everyone at the show tonight in Belfast. Very disappointed, but unfortunately these things happen. We're very sorry. H.'
Later Louis said: '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 !'
And while Liam stayed silent, Niall was the last to tweet, saying: 'So sorry we have had to cancel tonight guys. Unfortunately these things happen... Thank you to all who came down tonight!'
Devastation: A group of young girls couldn't be consoled as they stood with their heads in their hands
Heading home: Young fans were collected in the rain by disgruntled parents
Thumbs down: A sign post made especially for the gig went back in its carrier bag
Huddled together: The fans didn't quite know what to do with themselves when they got into the rain
Naturally, the fans were devastated, with some concerned that the word 'statement' would precede an announcement that Liam had quit the band - especially since this is how Zayn Malik's departure came to light back in March.
Others were more concerned for Liam's welfare, with one user saying: 'Not gonna sleep tonight I need to know Liam is okay.'
Another expressed frustration that 1D fans were lashing out at the band, explaining that Liam's health should 'come before anything'.
The band's statement read: 'The show tonight has been cancelled as Liam has taken ill, and whilst not serious, he is unable to perform tonight.
Let down: The fan base were sent into meltdown on Twitter by the release of One Direction's, seen here in September, statement
Statement: The performance was off, and fans were told to hold onto their tickets
Official: The band's representative notified fans that the bought of illness was sudden
Last minute: Liam, pictured centre, have three sell out shows in Belfast this week
Apologies: Harry Styles was the first of the band to say sorry to the fans
Sincere: Later, Louis sent his heartfelt apologies to the Directioners
Sorry: Niall was the final bandmember to express his apologies to the parents and fans
'Please hold to your tickets. A further statement will be made in the morning. The band apologise to the fans and wish Liam better.'
A further Twitter statement from the band's management 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 on to their tickets and there will be a further statement tomorrow. The band apologise to their fans and wish Liam well as soon as possible.'
The band were due at one of the stops on their On The Road Again tour, where they're expected to perform for the rest of this week.
Queuing: The fans were pictured outside the venue in broad daylight only to be told five minutes before showtime that it would not go on
Eager: The fans looked especially excited, with some waiting from as early as 5am to get a front row view
Freezing: One fan was huddled up, her sell-out ticket her most prized possesion
The fans, some from as far afield as Holland, France, Greece, were pictured queuing outside the venue in the cold, only to reportedly be told that the show would not go on, five minutes before.
The fanbase were said to have been warmed up with a performance by Jamie Lawson, the band's supporting act, before discovering that they would not see the main act.
It's the first time that the band have been forced to cancel one of their shows since Zayn Malik's departure and their decision to go on as a four piece.
Just four hours before the show, all seemed well when a tweet from official One Direction account said: 'Belfast! Are you ready?'
Statement: Some fans have learned to associate the word 'statement' with departures, following Zayn Malik's exit earlier this year
Up all night: One fan was so worried for Liam's health that she said she wouldn't sleep
Defensive: Others blamed the 1D fans for lashing out at the band and defended their health instead
Gutted: The moment that a spokesperson for the arena was forced to come on stage with the news
It's the parents who weren't in the least bit impressed by the shock announcement on Tuesday and broadcasters were taking to social media to vent their frustrations on behalf of the masses.
Northern Irish breakfast TV presenter Eamonn Holmes said: '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.'
Ken Reid, Political Editor at UTV in Belfast, added: 'So disappointing for so many kids and their parents with the One Direction gig being called off just minutes before curtain up.'
Angered parent: Broadcaster Eamonn Holmes was particularly irate at the young lads
Voicing an opinion: Ken Reid, Political Editor at UTV in Belfast, voiced his opinion to the masses
Staying together: The TV presenter got on board with Stephen Nolan's comments too
Fit as a fiddle: BBC radio presenter Stephen Nolan, left, proved that Louis Tomlinson was in the vicinity on the night
While BBC radio presenter Stephen Nolan claimed he had interviewed a 'fit as a fiddle' Louis hours before the show, though Niall had similarly pulled out due to ilness.
He ranted: 'I was scheduled to interview Niall at 530pm in Belfast and I was told he had to pull out because he was sick.
'I was interviewing Louis from One Direction at 530pm tonight. But Harry had a cast on his foot and I was told Niall was sick. Now Liam too!'
And then sharing a Twitter picture, he added: 'Louis was as fit as a fiddle tonight in Belfast at 530pm. Niall was supposed to be with him but I was told he was ill.'
Are you ready? Fans may have been confused as to why the official account was still warming up the crowd hours before
Inconsolable: The fans were left in pieces when the safety announcement turned to a statement from the band
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