Nick Grimshaw has asked One Direction fans to lay off the hate after his radio show joked about Louis Tomlinson.

The Radio 1 Breakfast Show ran a section yesterday (February 25) to pick people who are more annoying than Lorde.

Grimshaw chose the likes of Usher and Joey Essex whilst producer Ian Chaloner picked Tomlinson.

However, this provoked ire from One Direction fans who stuck up for their idol.

Grimshaw later took to Twitter to ask devotees of the band to calm their hate, saying:

"Hey 1D fans!!!!! i never mentioned the word "Louis" on my show today so enough with the charming homophobic death threats yeh?"

Grimshaw, who is close friends with Harry Styles, previously joked about Tomlinson complaining about paparazzi.

The singer then quipped that he is worse than previous Breakfast Show host Chris Moyles.

Watch Nick Grimshaw with One Direction below: