RIP Liam Payne: From X Factor audition to meeting the Queen, his career highlights

Liam Payne died on Wednesday in Argentina. He was 31. 

Published on: Oct 18, 2024 9:21 AM IST

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One Direction singer Liam Payne died Wednesday at age 31 after falling three stories from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Payne was a beloved member of the group, which was formed in 2010 with Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.

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Liam auditioned for The X-Factor singing competition series as solo acts and were brought together by judge Simon Cowell to form the band.

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They became one of the most successful boy bands of all time, with a loyal fan base of “Directioners” and a meteoric rise to fame on par with Beatlemania.

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The release of One Direction's debut album, Up All Night, marked a key milestone in Liam's career. The album topped the charts in several countries and established the group as global superstars. Hits like "What Makes You Beautiful" brought them immense recognition.

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Liam Payne played a significant role in songwriting for One Direction, co-writing many of their songs, including "Story of My Life" and "Midnight Memories." His contributions to the group's creative process were pivotal to their evolution in sound.

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After One Direction went on hiatus in 2016, Liam pursued a solo career, signing a deal with Capitol Records. His departure from the group dynamic was a major milestone as he sought to establish himself as a solo artist.

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Britain's Queen Elizabeth meets Liam Payne after the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey in London, Britain March 12, 2018.

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Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole began dating in late 2015. Their relationship became public in early 2016, though they had known each other for several years before, as Cheryl was a judge on The X Factor UK when Liam auditioned in 2008 and again in 2010 with One Direction.

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Liam became a father in 2017 when he and Cheryl Cole welcomed their son, Bear Payne.