Liam Payne’s Stunning 2008 ‘X Factor’ Audition Wows Fans After His Sudden Death At 31

As the world mourns the loss of One Direction member Liam Payne , fans are revisiting a magical moment of his music career’s origin story.

According to The Daily Mail , a YouTube video of Payne’s X Factor UK audition has boomed in viewership since the news broke about his passing. The late pop star, who was only 14 when he first auditioned for the reality talent competition show in 2008, sang the Frank Sinatra classic “Fly Me To The Moon.”

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Following Payne’s performance, judge Simon Cowell told him, “I think there is potential with you, Liam.”

“I’m just missing a bit of grit, a bit of emotion, and actually a bit of fun, funny enough,” he added.

Fellow judge Cheryl Cole — whom Payne later dated and welcomed a son with before the couple ultimately split in 2018 — said Payne was “really cute,” pointing to his “charisma” and his “cheeky wink.”

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Meanwhile, judge Louis Walsh told Payne back at his 2008 audition, “I think this kid could do fantastic on the show.”

Cowell chimed in, “You’re a young guy, good-looking, people will like you. But there’s 20% missing from you at the moment.”

Payne replied, “Well, give me another audition and I’ll show you I got that 20%.”

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While he was granted a yes by all three judges, he was ultimately sent home, prompting him to audition again in 2010 at age 16, when he performed Michael Bublé ‘s take on “Cry Me A River.” He would ultimately become part of One Direction after meeting fellow band alums Harry Styles , Niall Horan , Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson through X Factor .

The show honored Payne with a statement on their X account, writing that they are “heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne.”

“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world,” the statement continued. “Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.”

Per TMZ , Payne died on Wednesday (Oct. 16) after falling from the third floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. According to E! News , Buenos Aires emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti explained to La Nación that Payne had “serious injuries” that were unable to be treated once responders had gotten to the scene.

The Buenos Aires Security Ministry’s communications director Pablo Policicchio shared a statement with the Associated Press , explaining that Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room.” The police got to the hotel after being warned of an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol” via a phone call.

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