The X Factor

Born in Wolverhampton in 1993, Liam Payne showed early promise as an athlete before turning his attention to performing.

He first auditioned for 'The X Factor' aged just 14 in 2008, only to be cut at the judges' houses stage and told by Simon Cowell to "come back in two years" when he was old enough.

He did exactly that, again entering as a solo star singing Michael Buble's version of 'Cry Me A River', later being grouped together with Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.

The newly formed One Direction came third place that year, but the best was yet to come.