Liam Payne's Letter to His 10-Year-Old Self Resurfaces After His Death: 'Stop with the Self Doubt'

Mar. 15, 2025

Liam Payne (L) and (R) an extract of a letter he wrote to his 10-year-old self in 2020.Photo:BBC Radio 2/Instagram (2)

BBC Radio 2/Instagram (2)

A now “poignant” letterLiam Paynewrote to his 10 year old self in 2020 has resurfaced in the wake ofhis death at age 31

On Thursday, Oct. 17, following the singer’s tragic death the previous day,a videowas posted on BBC Radio 2’s Instagram where host Scott Mills spoke to listeners about a special appearance Payne had made on his show during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“During the pandemic, Liam came on my show,” Mills told listeners in the Oct. 17 clip. He went on to explain that the BBC Radio 1 show he was hosting at the time was “asking people to write a letter to their 10 year old selves.”

“Liam’s is so poignant today," he said, before explaining that he needed to give listeners, “a little warning,” ahead of them hearing Payne’s letter.

Liam Payne reading a letter to his 10-year-old self on BBC Radio 1 in 2020.BBC Radio 2/Instagram

BBC Radio 2/Instagram

“Dear 10 year old Liam,” Payne began, as the video showed him with headphones on reading the letter in 2020.

“Get ready! It’s about to get a little bumpy. Cherish every moment with your loved ones right now as there’s only a few more family holidays to enjoy, life is about to turn surreal," he continued.

“You know that thing you love, singing, keep it up and when you turn fourteen something magical is going to happen and I’m not talking about puberty," Payne playfully added.

The singer went on to explain to his younger self that, “Not only will you audition for one of the biggest music shows in the world,” referring toThe X Factor, “but you’ll also meet the future mother of your child.” Payne first met fellow singerCheryl— with whom he would laterwelcome his only child, son Bear— during his 2008 audition for the show, as she was on the judging panel at the time.

“You are now famous and it feels like you’ve peaked way too early you cocky little bugger, but you have barely even started yet. Take it down a notch and remember it’s a marathon not a sprint,” Payne then added, before telling his younger self that his 2008 brush with fame onX Factor"isn’t even base camp."

Despite making it through to the Judges' Houses element of the show, his first journey onX Factorcame to an end there after judgeSimon Cowelldecided that young Payne was not ready.

“For a while you’ll feel like giving up,” the singer continued in his letter, appearing to reference his failure to make it further on the show in 2008.

“But don’t,” he told his younger self, adding, “as you’re about to meet four other guys on the same track as you,” he said of his second appearance on the show in 2010, where he was eventually teamed up withZayn Malik,Harry Styles,Niall HoranandLouis Tomlinsonto form the bandOne Direction.

“When you first meet them it’s going to be chaos but just remember to enjoy yourself,” he added.

Next, Payne offered some advice to himself for this time period: “Stay young at heart as that’s what this point of your life is all about; forgive more and learn to listen. You will have the most amazing time of your life, travel the world and live a life you barely imagined.”

In a particularly emotional section of his letter, the singer then appeared to talk to his younger self about the period of time when, after releasing five studio albums and going on four world tours,One Direction split in 2016.

Liam Payne in December 2019.Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty

“Then it will end for a time and you will be left with nothing but the steering wheel. It will feel scary, like you’re alone but you are not. You’re about to start a totally new journey with the most amazing person you’ve met far, your son Bear,” he said.

Payne and Cheryl’s son Bear was born in 2017, thoughthe couple eventually split in 2018.

“Don’t doubt yourself at this Dad thing, just look at all the things you’ve learnt along the way, surely that must mean you have a lot to give,” Payne told his younger self of any fears he may have around parenting.

In a2020 interview with PEOPLE, the pop superstar had discussed how it took him some time to find his “footing” as a dad.

“I had my son at a young age, and you think it will be a magical thing, that you’re going to grow up one day into the person you’re supposed to be,” he said at the time, adding, “But it took a lot to find my footing. I figured, Dad takes care of everyone, that’s what he does, so my thing was to cook.”

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Meanwhile, in the final section of his 2020 letter, Payne spoke to his younger self about gratitude, his professional journey and overcoming self doubt.

“Be grateful and try to remember very day you’re doing something you love that took ten years to build. The first single will skyrocket and you’ll never see it coming but stop with the self doubt and you’ll be fine,” he said.

Touchingly, the final words of his letter saw Payne send a “big hug” to his loved ones.

“Give Mum, Dad and all the family big hug from me…” he concluded.

source: people.com