Liam Payne has sent his condolences to his One Direction bandmate Harry Styles after the death of his stepfather.

Robin Twist died after a long battle with cancer, a spokeswoman for Styles said.

Payne shared a photograph of Mr Twist and Harry’s mother Anne on Instagram with the caption: “Harry my heart really goes out to you such an extremely sad day for us all who knew Robin.

“What a kind, gentle and beautiful soul, a true rarity to find in today’s world. Sometimes they really do take the best of us far too soon. X”

One Direction fans have also offered messages of support to Styles and soon after the news emerged #RIPRobin started trending on Twitter.

A spokeswoman for Styles said: “Harry’s stepfather, Robin Twist, sadly passed away this week after a long battle with cancer. The family asks for privacy at this time.”

Styles’ bandmate Louis Tomlinson lost his mother Johannah Deakin to leukaemia last year.