Liam hits out at critics

One Direction's Liam Payne has hit back at critics after he came under fire for appearing to support the controversial stars of reality TV show Duck Dynasty.

The patriarch of the reality TV family, Phil Robertson, sparked outrage in December when he compared homosexuality to bestiality, and was briefly suspended from the show by bosses at the A&E network.

Payne revealed he is a fan of the show when he took to his Twitter account to send a message of support to Roberston's son Willie: "Huge love to you/your family huge respect for your business prosperities and the family values you still all behold (sic). Big fan."

Gay rights activists expressed outrage and disappointment following the post, but Payne insists that being a fan of a show doesn't mean he condones the family's controversial views.

In another post he writes: "Being a fan of someone's show and the way they still hold a family together doesnt (sic) mean I am ok with all they say."