One direction fans left heartbroken as charity concert film cancelled at last minute
Excited one direction fans faced heartbreak on tuesday night (14 january) when a charity screening of the band’s documentary This Is Us was abruptly cancelled at the Odeon cinema at Great Northern, Manchester city centre.
The screening, which had drawn a packed audience of eager fans, many of them young girls, was meant to commemorate the late Liam Payne, the former band member, with 100% of ticket sales being donated to mental health awareness charities such as MIND, SAMH, and AWARE NI.
Attendees had taken their seats, armed with popcorn, drinks, and snacks, eagerly awaiting the film’s start at 7:45pm. However, just minutes later, a staff member delivered the disappointing news that the event would not be going ahead.
Marcus Owramenko, who was among the disappointed crowd, shared his frustration after capturing photos of fans leaving the auditorium, many visibly upset. He said: “The screen was full of people, mostly young girls, who were ready and waiting to watch the film. They were all seated with their snacks when, about 10 minutes after the film was meant to start, an assistant came in and announced the cancellation.”
The audience was assured that full refunds would be provided, not just for their tickets but also for any food and drinks purchased. Despite this gesture, the cancellation left many fans disheartened, especially given the sentimental and charitable nature of the event.
The re-release of This Is Us, originally premiered in 2013, was a one-day-only event intended as a heartfelt tribute to Liam Payne. The documentary charts the meteoric rise of One Direction, offering fans an intimate glimpse into their world during the height of their fame. Its return to cinemas was seen as a rare opportunity to relive the magic while supporting an important cause.
Odeon has not yet provided a detailed explanation for the last-minute cancellation, although the announcement has sparked outrage among fans who had travelled to the city centre, many from far and wide, to take part in the nostalgic celebration.
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One twitter user wrote: “Absolutely gutted! Travelled two hours to Manchester just for this and now I’m heading home with nothing but disappointment. How could they let this happen at the last minute?”
Another fan tweeted: “Heartbreaking for us fans, especially since this was for such a good cause. Liam would’ve been so proud of the event, and it’s such a shame it didn’t happen.”
The Odeon cinema chain has promised that all refunds will be processed promptly, and they have apologised to fans for the inconvenience caused. In a statement, a representative said: “We sincerely apologise to all those who attended the planned screening of This Is Us at our Great Northern location. We understand the disappointment caused by this cancellation, especially given the charitable purpose of the event. Refunds will be issued for all tickets and concessions purchased, and we are investigating the matter to ensure this does not happen again.”
The cancellation has cast a shadow over what was supposed to be a special evening for One Direction fans to celebrate their shared love for the band while honouring the memory of Liam Payne.
As fans await further clarification from Odeon, the incident has left a bitter taste for many who were looking forward to reliving the joy of the band’s glory days while contributing to a cause close to their hearts.
