One Direction star Liam Payne has hit back at suggestions he is drinking heavily - saying he drinks no more than other people his age.

Payne, 21, was responding to suggestions made in an online article that he could be drinking a lot, describing the report as "out of order".

In a series of tweets, the singer said he does not drink any more than a university student and said he should not be treated "any different to a normal boy my age".

The heartthrob said that when he is not on stage he spends his time playing video games and going to the gym.

He tweeted at the Inquisitr Showbiz account and then apologised to his followers for "the rant".

He wrote: "@IQShowbiz now I don't really like responding too news articles anymore but i really think this is out of order I don't have a problem

"@IQShowbiz thanks for worrying but I don't spend my time off stage drinking I play video games with friends and go to the gym

"@IQShowbiz I don't drink anymore than a uni student my age so don't treat me like I'm any different to a normal boy my age" (sic)

The star then tweeted: "Apologies for the rant guys have a nice evening x" (sic)

The Inquisitr Showbiz Twitter account had earlier tweeted a link to a story about Payne with the headline "Is One Direction Star Liam Payne Drinking Too Much?".