Kate Cassidy looked strained as they stepped out in Manchester on Wednesday afternoon.

It comes hours after the One Direction star, 30, came under fire as fans accused him of making a ‘misogynistic’ comment towards her in one of her recent Instagram posts.

He went viral on social media after Kate, 25, shared a TikTok video of the pair showing off their outfits ahead of date night in the city as he said: ‘Looking good, nice and covered up for once.’

Now the pair have been spotted out looking downcast as they headed out and about following the date night controversy.

She showed off her incredible figure in a white crop top which she teamed with skinny grey flared jeans and draped a pink jumper over her shoulders.

Liam Payne and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy looked strained as they stepped out in Manchester on Wednesday afternoon

It comes hours after the One Direction star, 30, came under fire as fans accused him of making a ‘misogynistic’ comment towards her in one of her recent Instagram posts

The beauty kept comfortable in a pair of white slipped and toted her belongings in a stylish handbag.

Leaving her long blonde tresses loose, Kate was spotted covering her face as she walked behind Liam in the street.

Meanwhile the Strip That Down singer kept causal in an oversized grey T-shirt which he teamed with black trousers and white Nike trainers.

Liam flashed a smile and waved to fans in the street as the couple spent time together.

It comes after the couple went viral as Kate described her ensemble for a date night in a new TikTok video.

She donned a fitted black waistcoat and cropped trousers when Liam looked deadpan into the camera and said: ‘Looking good, nice and covered up for once.’

Fans were left in shock by the remark, taking to X to point out the hypocritical nature of his comment, given that he has posed shirtless and previously released the single, Strip That Down.

They commented: ”Looking good, nice and covered up for once’ ???? Girl i know you faking that laugh at the end’; ‘meanwhile these are his insta stories’; the fact that he would always claim to be the ‘nice’ and ‘kind’ one from 1d…. yikes! a soon to be raging misogynist [sic].’

Now the pair have been spotted out looking downcast as they headed out and about following the date night controversy

She showed off her incredible figure in a white crop top which she teamed with skinny grey flared jeans and draped a pink jumper over her shoulders

The beauty kept comfortable in a pair of white slipped and toted her belongings in a stylish handbag

Leaving her long blonde tresses loose, Kate was spotted covering her face as she walked behind Liam in the street

Meanwhile the Strip That Down singer kept causal in an oversized grey T-shirt which he teamed with black trousers and white Nike trainers

He completed his look with dark trousers and a pair of white trainers as he stepped out after the controversy

It comes after the couple went viral as Kate described her ensemble for a date night in a new TikTok video

She donned a fitted black waistcoat and cropped trousers when Liam looked deadpan into the camera and said: ‘Looking good, nice and covered up for once’

Others shared: ‘free her omg’; ‘Liam looks truly uncomfortable I mean you can literally tell from his body language & facial expression’; ‘It took me until the third instance of me seeing this video to realize that man is LIAM PAYNE?! Wtf’; ‘I never liked him not even when i was a hormonal teenager.’

Some fans did come to his defence, however, posting: ‘So many people think they know exactly what’s going on based on a 6 seconds video. It’s disgusting how so many people find it so easy to hate. Shame on you.’;

‘Why do ppl get so mad when a man expresses how he likes his gf to dress? She obviously still wears what she wants. [sic]’

Despite the controversy, Kate and Liam, who were first linked in October 2022, proved all was well between them as they were pictured later in the evening hand in hand at Sexy Fish.

MailOnline has contacted Liam’s representatives for comment.

Last month it was reported that Liam’s plans to tell all in an upcoming documentary have been put on hold due to his ill health and decision to focus on his music.

He was due to spill the beans on life in the boyband as well as his addiction struggles, however The Sun claimed plans for the film have been halted and Liam decided not to take the project any further.

The star’s idea for the documentary was sparked in April 2023 after he attended the premiere of his ex-bandmate Louis Tomlinson film All of Those Voices.

Fans were left in shock by the remark, taking to X to point out the hypocritical nature of his comment, given that he has posed shirtless and released the single, Strip That Down

It was claimed Liam had already began having conversations with producers, however now the star has reportedly chosen to focus on his music and health.

A source told the publication: ‘This time last year, Liam was all fired up about his comeback and teasing new music, but then his health deteriorated.

‘He has hours and hours of footage, and there was interest from various production companies, but in the end he decided not to take things further.’

They added: ‘While he is far ­better than he was towards the end of last year, Liam is still taking time out to focus on himself. His comeback is a ­moving picture, but the plan is to release new music within the next two months.’

It was reportedly hoped the film would have been released on Netflix or Prime Video around the same time as the release of his second album.

Liam released the first single, Teardrops, from his upcoming album back in March, however he has been quiet on Instagram since.

The musician was seen sobbing in a behind-the-scenes clip which was filmed during the making of his new album.

It has been a difficult year health-wise for the star after he was hospitalised with a kidney infection in Italy last summer.

He was forced to cancel his tour after being ordered to ‘rest and recover’ by doctors.

Sharing a video to announce the news, Liam told fans: ‘This really is the last news I want to be telling you but basically I’ve been a little bit unwell recently.

‘I ended up in hospital with a bad kidney infection. We started rehearsals and I’ve been advised that now is really not the right time to be travelling on the road while I recover from this.

‘I’ve got the best people around me at home trying to help me recover as we speak, but yeah we’re gonna have to reschedule the tour.’

Despite the controversy, Kate and Liam, who were first linked in October 2022, proved all was well between them as they were pictured later in the evening hand in hand at Sexy Fish