ONE Direction fans can rest easy, the band will be in Newcastle for their three gigs starting on Sunday.

The boys pulled out of a gig in Northern Ireland on Tuesday night when Liam Payne fell ill, just days before they were due to travel to the North-East.

A spokeswoman said Liam Payne was not seriously unwell but that it had prompted the band to pull out of last night's gig at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The band are due to play the Newcastle Metro Radio Arena on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Payne took to Twitter today to apologise.

"I'm so sorry to everybody I disappointed last night. I'm feeling better now. I really hope everyone can make the rescheduled date on Friday," he wrote.

"Thank you so much for all the trends and lovely messages you guys did for me it really shows how amazing u guys actually are."

The 22-year-old singer added: "As I said I'm feeling much better now and I really can't wait to perform and make it up to everyone later."

Last night's cancellation was the first of three nights the boy band were due to play at the Northern Ireland venue during their On The Road Again tour.

The spokeswoman said at the time: "The show has been cancelled as Liam has taken ill, and whilst not serious, he is unable to perform."

However, this afternoon, a spokesman said the North-East gigs were due to go ahead as planned.

Neil Walker General Manager of The SSE Arena, Belfast said: "Having assessed all possible options, we can confirm that the cancelled One Direction concert from last night will go ahead this coming Friday night at The SSE Arena, Belfast.

"Unfortunately, that means we have to move a scheduled Belfast Giants game versus Sheffield Steelers to another date. We are extremely grateful to the Belfast Giants and Sheffield teams and apologise to their fans for the inconvenience caused – we are very grateful to them for their understanding and accommodation of the nearly 10,000 young concert fans who were so devastated by the cancellation last night.

"We are now looking forward to three great nights of concerts at The SSE Arena, Belfast.

"We apologise again for the inconvenience caused last night and reassure fans that the SSE Arena Belfast was only made aware of Liam’s illness just before the band was due to perform."

Harry Styles wrote last night: "Deepest apologies to everyone at the show tonight in Belfast. Very disappointed, but unfortunately these things happen. We're very sorry."

Louis Tomlinson added: "We're so so sorry for what happened, it was out of our control Lots of love to Liam and thank you for being so understanding."

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes aired his dissatisfaction with the situation on Twitter, writing: " 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."

After One Direction fans reacted to his tweets, he added: "For all of you who can't read , I didn't ask for #OneDirection to Sing , I asked for them to Apologise in person to fans who turned up."

He then replied to another tweet saying: "It's just a question of taking responsibility and being respectful. That's all."

Fan reactions on social media ranged from anger to get well wishes.

One fan questioned it all, asking: "Remember when Howard from Take That broke his ribs and the rest of them went on without him?! Take note #onedirectionbelfast".

Another wrote: "Not to be selfish but I flew home from uni for this, so kinda hoping for the best tomorrow.. #onedirectionbelfast #GetWellSoonLiam".

Referring to the scores of heartbroken teens, one fan commented: "I've never heard so many hearts break at one time #onedirectionBelfast."