Liam Payne “went down a dark road” and suffered “mental problems” after his spell on X Factor, according to former finalist on the show Mary Byrne.
Byrne, 64, appeared on the former Saturday night staple alongside Payne in 2010.
She joined Martin Daubney on GB News to share her memories of the teen who would go on to become an international superstar before his tragic death in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
According to Byrne, the 16-year-old Payne was a supportive presence behind the scenes during the 2010 series of X Factor as she grappled with a rapid rise to stardom.
Mary Byrne discussed her relationship with the former One Direction star
PA / GB NEWS
“Liam always had an old head on his shoulders, he was always the one helping everyone else along, even me at the age of 50, he gave me the courage to carry on when I felt low”, she told GB News.
“I was at dinner last night when the news hit. It took the breath out of me and I burst into tears. The boy I remember was kind and knew where he was going.
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“He was very close to his family. He always told me he would make some money then go into business with his dad. He literally seemed to have it all in his head and ready to go for.
“To see him go down that dark road after big worldwide fame is very sad. They all had a lot to give to the world and I think the breakup brought up a lot of stress and some mental problems.
“He never seemed to be the same after that.”
Byrne broke down as she spoke to Martin on GB News “I remember one particular time, feeling very low and missing my daughter.
Mary Byrne joined Martin Daubney on GB News
GB NEWS
“He was the one who came to me and put his arms around me and say ‘I’m here for you’, the kind of love and care that young man could give you.
“I will miss him. I know he left a little boy behind, it’s very sad. I will miss him and I did love him.”
Local police said the 31-year-old singer fell into the courtyard of the hotel, before medics confirmed his death.
Musicians and famous faces have been paying tribute to the singer who rose to fame as part of One Direction, who finished third on The X Factor in 2010.
Liam Payne died after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, ArgentinaGettyOne Direction – which consisted of Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson – were supported on tour by the McBusted supergroup, which saw McFly and Busted members join together.
Appearing on ITV’s This Morning, McFly’s Danny Jones said: “It’s super sad. Such a nice human and it was amazing to know the guys.
“And I feel for his family, I feel for the band, feel for the boys, and I’m shocked. I’m genuinely shocked.”
Busted’s Charlie Simpson, who started his musical career when he was aged 16, reflected on the pressures of being thrust into the limelight in a boy band.
“It is really tough. I think that especially today with social media and the pressure that comes with it now that wasn’t around when we started, I think that makes it even tougher. It’s just desperately sad,” he added.
Fellow Busted bandmate Matt Willis also remembered Payne as “such a lovely bloke”, adding: “Music is so powerful and I think what One Direction achieved was unbelievable, so incredible. They’ve got such an amazing history of music, it’s a beautiful thing, music.”