Liam Payne has broken his silence online following his car crash podcast chat with Logan Paul.
The former One Direction singer, 28, has told fans he perhaps "didn't articulate" himself as well as he could have when discussing his ex bandmate Zayn Malik in the now-infamous Impaulsive with Logan Paul interview.
During the candid interview, Liam also opened up about his ex Cheryl - claiming the birth of their son Bear in 2017 'ruined' their relationship.
Touching on the breakdown of his two-year relationship with the Girls Aloud singer, the former X Factor contestant also revealed how things stand with the mother of his five-year-old son these days.
Following an intense online backlash to Liam's comments regarding Zayn, 29, the dad-of-one took to Twitter on Thursday morning to explain how he "wouldn't normally comment" on such matters but can't let things slide when it comes to "family."
Throughout the explosive podcast, where Liam could be seen sipping on whiskey, the Strip That Down singer shared his thoughts on the recent headlines surrounding his former bandmate - in particular the rumour that he allegedly 'shoved' Gigi Hadid's mum, Yolanda Hadid, into a dresser during a heated altercation.
Liam confessed that while he will always 'dislike' Zayn for many reasons, he will also always stick up for his estranged friend - seemingly implying the Pillowtalk singer had a different childhood to what he experienced growing up.
Following a huge amount of criticism for his 'insensitive' comments, Liam has now attempted to clear things up and set the record straight regarding his current relationship with his one-time One Direction colleague.
"Guys - I wouldn’t normally comment on this stuff but when its your family it’s hard to let it slide," the dad-of-one began in the first of two tweets on Thursday morning.
"They mentioned a specific incident involving Zayn which I responded to - but listening back maybe I didn’t articulate myself as well as I could have."
He added: "I was saying that there will always be things we disagree on but that I will always, always be on his side. That’s family. Zayn is my brother and I will stand by him forever."
Liam's online statement provoked a mixed reaction from fans, with some concerned for the star's mental health and past issues with alcohol and others accusing him of only backtracking on his comments due to the backlash.
"No he did articulate himself how he wanted to he just sees now that he’s getting cancelled for it and is trying to drag himself out a burning fire," one reply to Liam's Twitter thread read.
Another wrote to the singer saying: "Take some time for yourself Liam. The words are important so we all need this, taking a break and trying to focus on ourselves."
During his chat with Logan, Liam candidly admitted that while there are many reasons he will always 'dislike' Zayn, there are also several reasons why he will always stick by his estranged friend, after the pair spent six years touring the world together alongside their other bandmates, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.
"There’s many reasons why I dislike Zayn and there’s many reasons why I’ll always, always be on his side," Liam told the YouTube star during his now-controversial podcast cameo.
The dad-of-one - who shares son Bear with ex Cheryl - went on to shed light on Zayn's seemingly tough upbringing as he suggested that the singer's childhood impacted his navigation into adulthood.
"If I had had to go through what he went through - with his growth and whatever else. My parents are overly supportive to the point where it’s annoying at times. Zayn had a different upbringing in that sense," Liam claimed.
"You can always look at the man for where he is and say, ‘Oh yeah, whatever, that guy’s a d***'. But at the end of the day, once you’re understanding what he’s been through to get to that point and also whether or not he wanted to be there.
"Listen, I don’t agree with any of his actions. I can’t commend some of the things that he’s done. I can’t be on his side for that," he added.
Zayn - who hit One Direction in 2015 - is yet to comment on his former bandmate's interview and instead has been focusing on his new art project.
The explosive interview also saw Liam open up about his time with former X Factor judge Cheryl, and how they co-parent their son Bear together.
At the time of Bear's birth, Liam was just 23 and detailed how he struggled to come to terms with becoming a father.
Speaking to Logan, the singer admitted: "I like to talk to other new dads. You don’t know what is coming.
"To be honest with you, it ruined a relationship at that point – but for all the right reasons.
"I was so excited for him to be born that I was actually worried if I wouldn’t love him enough."
Liam went on to dub ex Cheryl "the best mum in the world" and added: "I couldn’t ask for someone better."
The Wolverhampton-born star also discussed first meeting the mother of his child back when he was a hopeful auditionee on The X Factor.
Liam was just 14-years-old when he belted out his rendition of Fly Me to the Moon in front of future beau Cheryl, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh - even giving the Girls Aloud singer a little wink while singing.
Discussing the cheeky wink with Logan, Liam admitted it was an attempt to stand out from others.
"It’s a licenced weapon please don’t try it. I went back to school the day after I winked at Cheryl in the audition and my friends are going ‘what do you think you’re doing winking at Cheryl Cole on TV?" Liam reminisced.
"Fast forward a few years and we ended up having a baby together."
"The wink, like I say, is a registered weapon. I have to check it in," Liam joked with the YouTube star.
"It’s the weirdest How I Met Your Mother Story . She was a judge on the show, I had a hole in my shoe at the time.
"It worked out great and she’s the best mum in the world, I couldn’t ask for someone better."
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033
