TV Buerk's 'drugged up, faded boyband singer' slur on Liam

Former newsreader criticises coverage

- ASHLEIGH RAINBIRD

BROADCASTER Michael Buerk has been slammed for describing the late One Direction star Liam Payne as a "drugged-up, faded, boyband singer".

Liam, 31, died following a 45ft fall from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires last week.

His death caused shock and sadness among millions of fans around the world, and left his family, friends and partner Kate Cassidy devastated.

But former 999 host Buerk, 78, criticised the BBC for the way it covered the story.

On Radio 4's Today programme, Buerk reflected on his time as a journalist which included sending the first report on the Ethiopian famine of 1984.

"There was more of an appetite for seriousness," he said.