Fans of the group were left devastated and furious when Tuesday night’s gig was cancelled – just minutes before the show was due to start.
Reps for 1D apologised for the cancellation and insisted Liam, 22, was sick, but now it’s been claimed he ‘physically couldn’t go on stage’.
A source told The Sun: “The pressures of fame and being on the road for two years have made Liam ill.
“He was devastated about letting everyone down, especially the fans, but he wasn’t physically able to get on stage. He had a complete meltdown.”
According to the newspaper, Liam suffered panic attacks ahead of the gig, and the source insisted it had been ‘brewing for a while’.
Taking to Twitter the next day, Liam attempted to reassure his fans. He wrote: “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.
“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 [sic].”
Liam’s ‘breakdown’ comes just a month after the band confirmed plans to take a ‘hiatus’ next year, following the release of their fifth album.
In March Zayn Malik shocked fans by quitting the group, who came fourth on The X Factor in 2010.