Liam Payne - from boyhood dreams on X Factor to the biggest boyband in the world - fans mourn tragic death

The music world is in mourning after the loss of Liam Payne, the former One Direction superstar who was forging his own direction in life after the band's hiatus. Liam's death, aged 31, was announced on Wednesday, October 16, after a tragic fall from the hotel where he had been staying in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

It was only last month that Liam had been enjoying time back on home turf in the UK with his new musical role - starring in Netflix's big budget talent show Building The Band. It would see him reuniting with Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger and joining other stars including Kelly Rowland and AJ McLean for auditions held here in Manchester at the Aviva Studios to help the next generation of stars take their first steps in the showbiz world.

It appeared to be a new chapter in the story of Liam's life - a life that had enriched so many with his vocal ability, performances and sheer star appeal.

READ MORE: Liam Payne - tributes pour in from across the world after death of One Direction star

Liam was just 14 years old when he took his first steps to making his music dreams come true. The young schoolboy from Wolverhampton would become one of the youngest ever auditionees on ITV's The X Factor, hopeful of becoming the nation's new pop idol.

His first audition back in 2008 would not go on to realise that dream - it was not to be his moment that year. But he impressed the panel of judges, including Simon Cowell and Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole, who would go on to have an even more significant role to play in his later life.

He made it through to the judges' houses stage of the competition but didn't quite make the cut - although Cowell had more than spotted the X Factor in the young Liam. He made the fateful