Liam Payne recalls X Factor audition: I got a standing ovation from all the judges except for Cheryl

While Simon Cowell and co were mightily impressed with Payne, it seems Cheryl needed more convincing 
Taste The Future Luncheon
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Kimberley Bond23 July 2020
The Weekender

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Directioners all across the world are celebrating 10 years of One Direction, with the world’s best-loved boyband formed a decade ago today.

The five-piece were brought together on the 2010 edition of The X Factor after the judges believed the boys would work better as a band after they all auditioned as soloists – with varying results.

Having auditioned for The X Factor in 2010, 1D star Liam Payne revealed he didn’t quite impress all the judges as he hoped.

Speaking to Roman Kemp on Capital Breakfast this morning, the 26-year-old said he could still remember crooning Michael Buble’s Cry Me a River in front of an entire arena – which hit the spot with everyone except his future girlfriend (and mother of his child) Cheryl.

Chery split with Liam in July 2018
Getty Images

“I’d practised and practised,” Payne said laughingly. “I got a standing ovation from all the judges except for Cheryl.

“We spoke about this later, and she said there was another act she loved that Simon Cowell didn’t stand up for.

“She was really angry, so she didn’t stand up for me.”

He added: “Not that I hold it against her.”

It wasn’t the first time the Strip That Down singer tried to impress the former Girls Aloud singer – in his very first audition for The X Factor in 2008, Payne winked at Cheryl, leaving her flustered.

And it seems Payne played the long game, with the singer eventually dating Cheryl between 2016 to 2018. The pair share three-year-old son Bear.

It’s been a day of reflection for Payne, who shared his own thoughts of when the band were first formed on Twitter.

“What a journey… I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my Dad ten years ago at this exact time the band was formed,” he said. “Thanks to everyone that’s supported us over the years and thanks to the boys for sharing this with me."

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