Revisit Liam Payne’s original ‘X Factor’ audition — where he met future girlfriend Cheryl Cole

nypost.com:

who died Wednesday after falling from his hotel balcony at age 31 — originally appeared on the UK singing competition series in 2008, where he met his future girlfriend, Cheryl Cole.

The pair dated from 2016 to 2018 and had a son named Bear.Cole, 41, was one of the judges alongside Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh who watched a then-14-year-old Payne audition for the show for the first time.“When I’m at school, in general, I think about singing all the time,” Payne told producers before his audition. “I should really be concentrating on my work, but I just think about singing too much.

It’s a dream and I’d love to do it.”After meeting the judges, Payne sang “Fly Me to the Moon” by Frank Sinatra. His rendition impressed the judges, though Cowell, 65, had some criticism.“I think there is potential with you Liam,” he said, adding, “I’m just missing a bit of grit, a bit of emotion – and actually a bit of fun, funnily enough.” Cole told Payne, “I like you.

I think you’re really cute. I think you’ve got charisma. You give us that little chinky wink.”All three judges gave Payne a “yes” and he walked out of the room where his family, including mom Karen and dad Geoff, celebrated that he made it to the next round in the competition.Payne eventually reached the judges’ house stage on the show, where Cowell decided to eliminate him.At the time, Cowell told guest judge Sinitta, “I’ve just got a horrible feeling now I am gonna seriously regret this decision.”Two years later, Payne returned to “The X Factor” for Season 7.