A 2020 letter Liam Payne wrote to his 10-year-old self has resurfaced in the wake of his tragic death at 31.
On Thursday, a video was posted on BBC Radio 2’s Instagram where host Scott Mills spoke about the time Payne was a guest on his show during the height of COVID-19.
“During the pandemic, Liam came on my show,” Mills said to listeners in the Oct. 17 clip before explaining 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 continued before stating he was giving “a little warning,” ahead of them hearing the fallen singer’s letter.
“This is … it’s quite sad to listen to. But I just really, really wanted to play it to you today,” he said as the text read “A letter to my 10 year old self (by Liam Payne)” and a photo of Payne appeared.
“Dear 10-year-old Liam,” Payne started as the video of him wearing headphones while reading the letter in 2020 appeared. “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 told his younger self that, “Not only will you audition for one of the biggest music shows in the world,” referring to getting his start on “X-Factor,” “but you’ll also meet the future mother of your child.”
Payne first met Cheryl Cole — with whom he shared son Bear, 7, with — during his 2008 audition for the show when she was a judge at the time.
“I know it seems early but just trust me it’s all gonna work out however it’s supposed to. I suggest you watch ‘Back to the Future,’ it might help,” he added.
“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 advised.
The artist went on to note that his 2008 brush with fame on the competition show “isn’t even base camp.”
Payne made it through to the Judges’ Houses element of the show, but was cut by judge Simon Cowell.
“For a while you’ll feel like giving up, but don’t,” Payne said before adding, “as you’re about to meet four other guys on the same track as you.”
Payne’s second appearance on the show in 2010 was where he teamed up with Zayn Malik,Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson to form the band One Direction.
“When you first meet them it’s going to be chaos but just remember to enjoy yourself,” he added.
Next, Payne went on to offer some sound to himself over this period of time: “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.”
Touching on the split of One Direction in 2016, Payne addressed how it felt for the band to break up after releasing five studio albums and going on four world tours.
“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’s son was born in 2017, though he and Cole, 41, 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 concluded about fatherhood.
Finishing up the letter, Payne spoke to his 10-year-old self about gratitude and overcoming self doubt.
Follow along with The Post’s coverage of Liam Payne’s tragic death at 31
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“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 shared.
Concluding the letter, the “Strip That Down” singer said, “Give Mum, Dad and all the family big hug from me…”
Payne fell to his death from the third floor of his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday. It’s unclear if it was intentional or accidental. However, an autopsy released on Thursday indicated that Payne may have been unconscious at the time of his fatal fall, and witnesses told TMZ that Payne was acting “erratic” before his sudden passing.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” his family said in a joint statement on Thursday.