'Unenthusiastic' Liam Payne slated by critics at BBC Biggest Weekend

While writers praised the 'superb' music festival, which was hosted in Swansea and featured performances from Taylor Swift, 30 Seconds to Mars and George Ezra, they were quick to criticise the former One Direction star for appearing like he did not want to be there.

Guardian writer Laura Snapes called new father Payne 'charmless' and said he had 'the harried stage patter of a comic losing steam'.

WATCH: Liam Payne performs Familiar at the BBC's Biggest Weekend

She wrote: "'What are we up to next – oh yeah, I like this one,' the ex-One Direction member says to introduce a cover of Charlie Puth’s Attention, a song that affirms his set’s main theme, namely how shallow girls are for succumbing to his irresistibility.

"His own lyrics about sex are oddly biological. “Let me be the one to fill it up,” he sings on Familiar, a lyric to cross one’s legs to. It continues: “You’re shaped like a model or some kind of bottle.” Newcastle Brown Ale? Cycling flask?"

She added: "Payne is as charmless as George Ezra is endearing. Ezra might be a cleaned-up Paolo Nutini with an affected baritone, but his jaunty barbecue anthems have the power to part clouds. Plus, he seems thrilled to be here, which is more than you can say for some."

And while videos of cheering fans showed many were enjoying Payne's performances, music correspondent at the Independent Roisin O'Connor had a similarly critical story to tell.

In her review she wrote: "Liam Payne looked about as unenthusiastic as it was possible to be during his set, which included his single "Strip That Down" and a cover of Charlie Puth's "Attention".

"In contrast his former bandmate Niall Horan, who performed on the Sunday, positively shone with his superb backing band."

Fans of Payne had his back though, and were moved to tears when the 24-year-old performed an emotional cover of One Direction's 'History', complete with poignant images of his former bandmates projected onto a huge screen behind him.

One fan named 'Matt' on Twitter wrote: "OMG they’ve got One Direction highlights in the background as Liam Payne is singing History. I’m struggling to not get emotional."

Another said: "Liam smashed History as he smashed my entire life with his beauty and voice. What a king."

'History' was the band's final single before they took their hiatus in January 2016.

Swansea is one of four UK cities hosting concerts as part of Radio 1's Biggest Weekend, alongside Belfast, Coventry and Perth.