Singer Liam Payne, of One Direction fame, has hit out at people slamming him on social media after he made a "throwaway comment" about the subject matter of one of his band's songs during a recent tour stop. 

During a recent concert, Payne was introducing a song when he told the crowd: "This is my favourite song off the last album and it's about trying to find that number one woman in your life. Which none of you can relate to because most of you are girls, except for the boys here... you know what I'm talking about!"

His comment apparently rattled some people because he took to his Twitter page this morning and posted a series of messages, in which he stresses that he is in no way homophobic:

"Think some people take things too literally these days. Not gunna comment on it anymore, you guys know what I meant - it was meant in general. I am in no way, shape or form homophobic that's a ridiculous thing to say and I'm not here to offend people so take it as you will."

"So annoying trying your hardest to make people happy in a show and you think about all the notes u tried to hit higher or a little sweeter and all some people want to concentrate on was a throw away statement about a song that I love. Crap end to a good day."

He added: "Lol this is so insane the more I read I'm like wtf have u ever said something in the wrong way I'm sure every person here has lol. I'm sorry to those I offended really I am but there's no need for some of the things I'm being called. I'm just here to make people smile - I kinda consider it my job role."

'#WeLoveYouLiam' has since appeared at the top of the worldwide trending topics list, with Directioners rushing to defend the apologetic star. 

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Watch Payne making the comment in question here: