Liam Payne thought One Direction would KILL HIM

He's been very candid in this latest revelation

One Direction

by William Marriott |
Updated on

They were one of the biggest bands on the planet, selling millions of albums and constantly being followed by adoring fans across the globe.

But Liam Payne has now opened up about his struggles while he was in One Direction, saying he felt he would end up like a "crazy child star who dies at whatever age."

One Direction
©Getty Images

Speaking to Jessie Ware on her Table Manners podcast, Liam said, "‘I felt like I was in a bit of a self-destruct mode because I knew it was going really well.

"The worst part of it is, and one thing I’d say to people getting into doing this sort of stuff, is that the success is the bit that will kill you, more than anything.

"When it’s not successful you just kind of work harder at it, depending on the person you are. But most of the time, the successful bit just scared the shit out of me and I wanted nothing to do with it."

CHECK OUT: Liam's relationship with Cheryl before it fizzled out

Gallery

RADIO Cheryl and Liam relationship timeline slider with cover pic

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CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Swipe through to see Cheryl and Liam Payne's complete relationship timeline...

Cheryl and Liam2 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock and Twitter

December 2015

During the final of The X Factor 2015, when Cheryl was a judge on the show, Liam was spotted dancing with the singer to Jason Derulo's track 'Talk Dirty To Me' after the show ended. Despite looking very friendly together, nobody suspected a relationship between the two.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

February 2016

Cheryl uploaded a photo of herself getting ready for The BRIT Awards in 2017, with Liam commenting on her photo with the cheeky caption, 'See you there babe!'.

Cheryl and Liam4 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

February 2016

Despite rumours circulating that the pair could be dating, Cheryl and Liam walked the BRITs red carpet separately in 2016. Instead, Liam was joined by his former One Direction band mate Louis Tomlinson.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Twitter

February 2016

It's official! On the last day of February in 2016, Liam and Cheryl made their relationship public when Liam updated his social media photos to this cute snap.The singer also updated his social media bios to read, 'Happy'.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

March 2016

Cheryl and Liam went Instagram official when Liam uploaded this photo of the pair posing in the back of a car.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

March 2016

Liam sent 'Cheriam' fans into complete meltdown when he shared a photo of Cheryl to his social media accounts to celebrate International Women's Day.Alongside the photo, he wrote the cute caption of, 'Happy #internationalwomensday to my favourite woman in the world ud83dude18ud83dude18 hope I make you as happy as u make me X'. [sic]

Cheryl and Liam8 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

March 2016

Cheryl and Liam made their first public appearance together in March 2016. Looking incredibly loved up, the pair enjoyed a meal together at a restaurant in London, with Cheryl sporting a massive necklace with the word 'love'.

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CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

April 2016

After only a few months of dating, Cheryl's friend and former X Factor boss Simon Cowell spoke about her romance with Liam.He said, "I saw them together and we had a really nice dinner [...] They were on good form. They're like two little chipmunks madly in love. Literally they were so cute. But importantly they both seemed very happy over here and very relaxed. I'm happy for them."

Cheryl and Liam10 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

July 2016

Cheryl and Liam moved in together, with Cheryl announcing the news with a funny message on Instagram. Sharing this photo of Liam with her beloved dog, she wrote, 'Our new family member ud83dudc36ud83dude01ud83dude0dud83dude2d he is beyond cute.. ud83dude29 the dog is adorable too ud83dude0f @toosmallforteacups thank you ❤ufe0f. [sic]

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CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

May 2016

Cheryl and Liam made their first ever red carpet appearance during the Global Gift Gala in Paris, France.Gazing into each other's eyes, the couple looked more loved up than ever.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

May 2016

Liam posted a selfie of the pair on a private jet travelling to France ahead of the Cannes Film Festival.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

May 2016

The couple made their second red carpet appearance in just one month when they appeared at the Cannes Film Festival.Liam was supporting Cheryl who was attending the event as part of her brand ambassador role for L'Oreal.

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CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

October 2016

Cheryl's divorce from her ex-husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini was finalised, with the former couple being granted a 'quickie divorce'.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

September 2016

Rumours started in the press that Cheryl was pregnant with Liam's child after she was spotted with a 'fuller figure' at a L'Oreal event in Paris.

Liam Payne16 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

September 2016

Liam fueled the pregnancy rumours even further when he changed his Instagram bio to read, 'The luckiest man alive'. He then uploaded this cute photo of the pair wearing face masks, declaring how much he misses his girlfriend. He wrote, 'I miss you!...the things you make me doud83eudd13ud83dude0b home soon!'.

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CREDIT: u00a9 REX/Shutterstock

November 2016

After months of rumours surrounding her pregnancy, Cheryl and Liam seemed to confirm them when they stepped out hand-in-hand at the Fayre of St James' Christmas Concert in London.Cheryl made the decision to leave her long coat open as she 'showed off' her small baby bump to fans and press.

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CREDIT: u00a9 L'Oreal

February 2017

It's official - Cheryl and Liam are having a baby! After not attending The BRIT Awards in 2017, Cheryl seemed to confirm her pregnancy once and for all when she posed in a photo holding her large bump for a new L'Oreal campaign.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

December 2016

Amidst all of the rumours, Cheryl and Liam posted some playful selfies to their social media accounts to celebrate their first ever Christmas together.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

March 2017

After months of speculation, Cheryl and Liam confirmed to the world that they've welcomed a baby boy called Bear Grey Payne.Revealing he was born on Wednesday 22nd March, Cheryl wrote, 'Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy, weighing 7lb 9 and looking like a dream. Although he still doesn't have a name he is already stealing hearts. We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers around the world. A day that now has a different meaning to me forever ud83dudc99'. [sic]

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

June 2017

Breaking her social media silence for the first time since welcoming baby Bear, Cheryl uploaded a snap of Liam to wish him a Happy Father's Day.She wrote, 'Happy 1st Father's Day Liam.. You are the most amazing daddy and the best example for our son. The way he looks at you says it all. Your relationship melts my heart. You are the centre of his world & We adore you ud83dudc3bud83cudf0eud83dudc99'.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

July 2017

After months of staying out of the public eye, Cheryl shared a cute photo of herself and Liam enjoying a date night without baby Bear.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

October 2017

As Liam started to release his debut solo music, including songs like 'Strip That Down', 'Get Low' and 'Bedroom Floor', Cheryl couldn't resist gushing about her man's handsome looks.Sharing this photo, Cheryl wrote, 'I had to .. I mean ud83dudc40 come onnnn ud83dude29ud83dude0d'.

Bear24 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

February 2018

After months of no social posts and no public appearances, fans started to think Liam and Cheryl were having relationship issues.That was until Liam posted this adorable photo of his son Bear to help wish Cheryl a Happy Valentine's Day. He wrote, 'Happy Valentine's Day @cherylofficial and everyone. looks like I've got the big guy to compete with now ud83eudd37ud83cudffb‍♂ufe0fud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02'.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

February 2018

Stories in the press suggested Liam and Cheryl's relationship had come to an end due to the pair's busy work schedules.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

February 2018

Cheryl sent fans into meltdown when she appeared to be wearing an engagement ring on her ring finger as she met Prince Charles.Representatives for the couple later explained Cheryl's choice of jewellery was simply 'costume jewellery'.

Liam and Cheryl27 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 REX/ Shutterstock

February 2018

Shutting down split rumours, the couple attended The BRIT Awards 2018 together, putting on a very loved up display on the red carpet.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Twitter

February 2018

After certain news outlets claimed Cheryl and Liam's public display of affection at The BRIT Awards 2018 was a 'stunt', Cheryl angrily hit back on Twitter, calling it 'ludicrous and weird'.

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CREDIT: u00a9 REX/ Shutterstock

May 2018

Liam spent a lot of time in America as he promoted his solo music, leaving Cheryl and Bear at home.

Liam and Cheryl30 of 31
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

June 2018

After not being seen together for four months, fans started to speculate a split when Liam failed to publicly address Cheryl's birthday on the 30th June.

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CREDIT: u00a9 Twitter

July 2018

After two years together, on Sunday 1st July both Cheryl and Liam announced they had split. Releasing a joint statement on Twitter, it read, 'We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make. We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.' [sic

NOW WATCH: 'The girlfriend position is filled!' Liam Payne reads your stan tweets as he answers the internet

"There’s no stop button, you’ve got no control over your life. And I lost complete control of everything and the last two years have been trying to take control of life back and understanding that it’s on me, if that makes sense."

He added that he told himself, "You’re either going to end up crazy child star who dies at whatever age or you’re going to live life and get on with it properly."

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Earlier this year, Liam opened up about his mental health to Men's Health Australia, saying, pretending to be happy was one of his biggest struggles when in the band.

He confessed, "When you’re doing hundreds and hundreds of [concerts] and it’s the same 22 songs at the same time every single day, even if you’re not happy, you’ve got to go out there.

"It’s almost like putting the Disney costume on before you step up on stage and underneath the Disney costume I was pisseded quite a lot of the time because there was no other way to get your head around what was going on.

"I mean it was fun. We had an absolute blast but there were certain parts of it where it just got a little bit toxic, it’s difficult when you have the level of fame that we had in the band."

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