Liam Payne says being in One Direction ‘nearly killed him’ as he opens up on fame

Liam Payne has opened up about struggling with fame in One Direction.

Five boys – Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik – were put together by the judges on The X Factor back in 2010.

They didn’t actually win the show but as One Direction went on to become arguably X Factor’s biggest success story with global recognition.

The boys went on a break in 2015 shortly after Zayn had left the group as a four piece.

Now carving out a solo career for himself, Liam has admitted he struggled at times dealing with the pressure of fame.

“I’ve had a few, there have been some tough times,” Liam of emotional battles.

Chatting to KISS FM‘s Where’s Your Head At?’ campaign, Liam explained: “When the band started our break I struggled with the idea of becoming famous again, it scared the living daylights out of me. Because the last time it nearly killed me, frankly.

“So I had to figure out a way to make it work for me – rather than me work for it.”

He went on to praise those who had supported him over what has been nearly a decade in the public eye.

“I speak to a lot of people who are in the same position as me because I have grown up in the public eye. I was 14 which is so young to start in that process,” Liam said.

He added: “I love my life, it’s been fantastic but there have been a lot of struggles to get to this point. It’s about having good people around you. They don’t have to be a psychologist – just people who are friendly, someone to talk to.”

Although currently working on a debut solo album, Liam recently signalled that a long-awaited One Direction reunion is on the cards.

Exciting fans, Liam revealed the group had already discussed their comeback.

“We’ve all spoken bout it,” he said. “The dream for this most fantastic show that could be is amazing!”

Currently all five original members of the group are working on solo music.