Niall Horan made a triumphant return to the stage at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend over the weekend. But their celebration didn’t last long after their trip home took an unexpected turn on the side of a highway.
The former One Direction star revealed in a TikTok video that his car broke down shortly after leaving Sunderland on Sunday, May 24, following his first live performance in a year and a half. Stranded on the M6 motorway, Horan documented the chaotic end to what would otherwise have been an important comeback moment.
“Thank you Radio 1 for a great day… it’s been great so far. I’m standing on the side of the M6 waiting for AA to turn up. Good performance though,” he joked, re-watching festival highlights on his phone while waiting on the side of the road for the AA breakdown service to arrive.
The day started on a good note at Sunderland’s Herrington Country Park: “We’ve arrived in Sunderland for Radio 1’s big weekend, I can’t wait to get out and see you, this is my first gig in a year and a half,” the 32-year-old excitedly told his fans at the beginning of the clip before taking to the stage.
Horan performed multiple hits from his discography, including songs from his upcoming fourth studio album, Dinner. At one point, he even performed One Direction’s 2013 song. Story of my life.
Another familiar face from One Direction also appeared at the festival, with Louis Tomlinson performing his own solo set a day earlier on Saturday.
