WHEN a young Liam Payne was just starting his career as pop star in One Direction, he met Danielle Peazer.
The pair – who met on The X Factor – remained friends after they split, with the late singer messaging the dancer shortly before his death at 31.
Born on June 10, 1988, Danielle Peazer is a professional dancer and fitness influencer.
She learnt her craft when she studied at the the English National Ballet School.
After getting her big break as a backup dancer on The X Factor, she has since worked with pop stars like Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake and Kylie Minogue.
Danielle was also a dancer at the London 2012 Olympics.
As a fitness influencer her popular dance cardio videos have garnered her 1M followers on Instagram.
Danielle also helps train celebrities, and counts Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards as one of her clients.
At the beginning of her career, Danielle met Liam Payne when was on The X Factor in 2010.
She was working as a backup dancer for the show, and he was just finding fame in One Direction.
The pair dated for three years until 2013.
In 2022, it was reported that they had “grown close” again after being spotted out, but that was the last time they were linked together.
Sadly, Liam died on October 16, 2024, after falling from a balcony at a hotel in Argentina.
Danielle paid tribute to her former love by sharing a snap of them from when they were dating,
She revealed how they had remained friends since their split and had been in touch just a few weeks before he died.
Writing on Instagram, Danielle said: “Whilst we all take the time to navigate in a world without Liam, it’s important to remember that while he was adored by millions as a world famous musician for the last decade, he was also someone’s son and brother for more than 30 years, a friend to so many and more recently an uncle.
“His most important role and something he was the most proud of out of all of his monumental successes was that he was a father.
“The thought that there is a now a child growing up without one of their parents is heartbreaking and unfair.
“To Liam’s son Bear, as well as his parents and sisters, my love, thoughts and strength goes to you.
“The magnitude of this loss is incomprehensible and I will continue to support you in any way I am able to.”
Receiving a message from you a couple of weeks ago expressing your happiness for the love I found with Sonny and Mia is something I’ll cherish forever.
Danielle Peazer
Danielle continued: “Thank you for teaching me about the importance of setting boundaries, and that I should always protect my heart.
“Receiving a message from you a couple of weeks ago expressing your happiness for the love I found with Sonny and Mia is something I’ll cherish forever.
“I’m sorry your story didn’t end differently, and I’m sorry you didn’t ever get to share more of your magic with the world.
“Rest easy my friend. Love Danielle x.”
After his relationship with Danielle ended Liam famously dated Cheryl Cole, who he welcomed his son, Bear with.
The pair met when he was a young wannabe popstar auditioning for The X Factor in 2009, before he got his big break on the show the following year.
The pair got together while the former Girls Aloud star was going through her divorce to second husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in early 2016.
They became parents in March 2017 but split up in July 2018.Before he died, the singer was in a relationship with Kate Cassidy, who was with him a few days before he passed away.
Since 2021, Danielle has been in a relationship with Capital FM star Sonny Jay.
In May 2024, the couple welcomed a daughter together, Mia.
Announcing their baby news, they both posted: “And then there were 3…She’s here and she’s perfect.”
Danielle previously opened up about her relationship with Sonny, and told her followers: “Without even realising that I’d evolved, I met Sonny, and I didn’t even need to express my morals, standards or desires in a relationship.
“He just gets it. He gets me, and I’ve never felt safety in a relationship like this.
“So much so, that I feel proud to share a private segment of my life with my online community, something I haven’t done for years, if ever in this way.”
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”
Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.
She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.
Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.
