Liam James Payne (born 29 August 1993) is an English singer and songwriter.
He rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction.
Payne made his debut as a singer when he auditioned for the British television series The X Factor in 2008. After being eliminated as a solo performer, he auditioned again in 2010 and was put into a group with four other contestants to form One Direction
Liam Payne sought 'advice and direction' from Simon Cowell in the months before death as he's left 'devastated'
manchestereveningnews.co.ukLiam Payne is said to have still sought "advice and direction" from Simon Cowell in the months before he died. The 31-year-old singer tragically died last week after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Argentina.
It has been claimed he remained close to his former X Factor mentor even after One Direction went their separate ways in 2016 and enjoyed taking his and ex-girlfriend Cheryl Tweedy's seven-year-old son Bear to hang out with the TV talent show boss and his son Eric, 10.
Simon's brother, Tony Cowell, told OK! Magazine: "Throughout the years, he always kept in touch with Simon. Only a few months ago, he visited Simon at his house in the Cotswolds and took Bear along because he knew Simon’s son Eric would be there. READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans work out show 'curse' after JB Gill and Amy Dowden dance-off "He felt so comfortable being with Eric and Simon.
He still looked to Simon for advice and direction. Through the years, when he’s dealt with different problems and been trying to find his feet, Simon would always try to help.
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