A heartwrenching letter written by former One Direction star Liam Payne to his 10-year-old self has been reshared by BBC Radio 1 following his death aged 31.

Dad-of-one Liam wrote the letter in 2020, in which he tells himself that he will “feel like giving up” but to “cherish every moment”, adding that a milestone he’d experience would be to meet the mother of his child – Cheryl Cole.

Local media claims the singer died after he fell from the third-floor balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel, following reports of ‘erratic’ behaviour. The resurfaced letter was posted on Instagram in the wake of the singer’s tragic death, shared by Radio 1.

In the letter, Payne wrote to his younger self: “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. You know that thing you love, singing, keep it up, when you turn 14, something magical is going to happen, and I’m not talking about puberty. Not only will you audition for one of the biggest music shows in the world, but you’ll also meet the future mother (then-X Factor judge, Cheryl Tweedy) of your child.

“I know it seems early, but just trust me, it’s all going to work out however it’s supposed to. I suggest you watch Back To The Future, it might help. You are now famous, and it feels like you’ve peaked way too early, you cocky little bugger, but you barely even started yet, take it down a notch, and remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Let me tell you this isn’t even base camp, and for a while, you’ll feel like giving up, but don’t as you’re about to meet four of the guys on the same track as you.

“When you first meet them, it’s going to be chaos, but just remember to enjoy yourself, stay young at heart as that’s what this point in your life is all about. Forgive more and learn to listen, you’ll have the most amazing time of your life, travel the world and live a life you barely imagined. Then it will end for a while, and you will 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 total new journey with the most amazing person you met so far, your son Bear.” He went on to advise 10-year-old Liam not to “doubt yourself with this dad thing”, adding: “You have a lot to give.”

Payne finished: “Be grateful and try to remember every day you’re doing something you love, that took 10 years to build. The first single will skyrocket and you’ll never see it coming, you’ll stop with the self doubt and you’ll be fine. Give mum, dad, and all the family, a big hug from me.”

Payne and the other One Direction lads – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson – came third on The X Factor in 2010, before going on to sell more than 70 million records.