Fans and friends have paid tribute to Liam Payne on social media, calling his death “heartbreaking”.

Singer Liam Payne was one of five members of the hugely popular boy band from 2010 to 2016. Since One Direction announced their hiatus in March 2016, Payne has pursued a solo career with the platinum-certified single Strip That Down and a studio album.

Liam Payne performing in 2019

As family, friends and fans grieve the sudden passing of Liam Payne, here’s a look back at the life and career of the talented singer.

Liam Payne was born on August 29, 1993 in Wolverhampton, England. “My childhood was very peaceful but I didn’t have much money,” he shared with British newspaper The Times in 2019. “I first appeared on The X Factor when I was 14. It was my dad who pushed me to do it. I did it because of him,” the singer revealed.

Although his initial audition in 2008 did not result in a place on The X Factor , Payne returned in 2010 to audition for the judges – this time performing Cry Me a River . He progressed to the next round and was later paired by judge Simon Cowell with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson to form One Direction.