Birth name Liam James Payne

Birthday 29 August 1993

Star sign Virgo

Birthplace Wolverhampton, West Midlands

Before being thrust into the limelight in One Direction, Liam Payne was born to parents Karen and Geoff in 1993.

He has two older sisters named Nicola and Ruth.

Liam endured regular visits to the hospital as a child because of a dysfunctional kidney, but he found out during an X-ray in 2012 that his problem had been corrected.

He studied music technology at City Of Wolverhampton College.

Liam first auditioned for The X Factor at the age of 14 in 2008.

The singer made it through to the judges’ houses stage of the competition but Simon Cowell told him he was too young and that he should return in two years.

Liam took his advice and came back in 2010 to perform the song Cry Me A River.

He failed to qualify as a solo contestant but was later put into boy band One Direction. Liam Payne joined along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.

The group proved extremely popular with the public and ended up coming 3rd in the competition, losing out to Rebecca Ferguson and Matt Cardle.

Liam also found love on the talent show when he met dancer Danielle Peazer, who became his girlfriend. Unfortunately, they called time on their relationship in May 2013.

He started dating old school pal Sophia Smith a couple of months later.

They made their first public appearance as a couple at the London premiere of One Direction’s first 3D concert film This Is Us in August 2013.

Liam showed his online fans his feelings about Sophia on a number of occasions, posting sweet Instagram photos of them together.

Sophia joined Liam Payne in New York when One Direction were in the city for their Where We Are tour in August 2014.

1D have been very successful both in the UK and overseas, selling out concerts in cities including Rio de Janeiro, Chicago and Madrid.