The singer took to Twitter this morning (August 19) to defend himself, saying he is "in no way shape or form homophobic".
Payne told the crowd at a recent gig: "This is my favourite song off the last album, and it is 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 in here, you know what I'm talking about."
The 21-year-old later wrote on Twitter: "lol think some people take things to literal 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 ridicules thing to say and I'm not here to offend people so take it as you will."
I am in no way shape or form homophobic that's a ridicules thing to say and I'm not here to offend people so take it as you will
ā Liam (@Real_Liam_Payne) August 19, 2015
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I'm sorry to those I offended really I am but there's no need for some of the things I'm being called
ā Liam (@Real_Liam_Payne) August 19, 2015
The series of tweets continued: "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...
"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."
One Direction's Liam Payne is "dead excited" to hear Zayn Malik's solo material
Watch the video for One Direction's 'Steal My Girl' below:
