Liam Payne has hit out at X Factor judge Louis Walsh over his pregnant girlfriend

Liam Payne let rip at the X Factor's Louis Walsh. Photo / Getty Images

Liam Payne has launched a bitter Twitter tirade against Louis Walsh after the X Factor judge told a reporter to "f*** off" at a photocall ahead of this weekend's final.

Criticising the way the Irishman handled a question about the One Direction star's pregnant girlfriend Cheryl, Liam, 23, raged: "Congratulations Louis Walsh for setting the worst example on handling media for his band who are about to step into a very hard industry."

Congratulations Louis Walsh for setting the worst example on handling media for his band who are about to step into a very hard industry

— Liam (@LiamPayne) December 9, 2016

He swiftly followed it up with a second tweet, which read: "Maybe it's about time you realise it's not all about you and shut the f**k up for once, let them speak".

The furore started when a reporter asked Louis what he'd do if Simon Cowell asked Cheryl to return to the judging panel, the Daily Mail reports.

Riled, the Irishman responded: "Well Simon wouldn't invite Cheryl back because we have Nicole. We have Nicole and Sharon, we don't need another girl. So go and f**k off now!"

He then lent forward and playfully slapped at the reporter, before adding: "No silly questions, seriously. It's not about Cheryl. Don't be stupid, man."

Liam Payne and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini. Photo / Getty Images

The 5AM boys found the incident hilarious, laughing as Louis had his outburst. Louis was also dismissive when asked about Spice Girls offshoot GEM pulling out of a surprise collaboration with the boys in the final.

He said: "It's not about The Spice Girls, it's about Five After Midnight... so stop talking about them."

This isn't the first time Louis and Liam have locked horns - in an interview with The Telegraph, the plain spoken judge said One Direction's biggest downfall was that they "believed the hype around them".

He told the newspaper: "We create monsters in the music business - they only become famous because they've been on the show and we got you those songs.

"They're lucky f**kers, but some get a sense of entitlement and believe the hype. Too many artists appear to forget where they came from."