One Direction fans were left horrified when band member Liam Payne appeared in an online photo with an almost completely bandaged face.

Irish joker Niall Horan took to Twitter to post the picture of Payne, which was accompanied by the caption: "Wishin you a speedy recovery (sic)."

The image caused fans to panic as to why the heartthrob was wrapped in bandages, before the group confirmed it was just a "joke", according to The Sun.

One Twitter user wrote: "WHAT HAPPEND TO LIAM?!?!?!?! WHY DOES HE HAVE BANDAGES ON HIS FACE?!?!" with another posting: "What happened to your beautiful face? Why is it all bandaged up (sic)."

After finding out the picture was a prank, fans took to Twitter to laugh off Horan's foolish joke, with one writing: " #ThingsYouShouldntDo Post a picture of Liam Payne in bandages and expect people to not freak out. Lol I'm cracking up (sic)."

Another wrote: " And @NiallOfficial stop wrapping @Real_Liam_Payne up in bandages. I almost had a heart attack looking at that this morning. Ya crazy kids (sic)."