Liam Payne has opened up about his mental health struggles during his time in One Direction, claiming he “shouldn’t have been able” to go through with their gruelling tour schedule.

The singer has revealed he often felt like he was “putting on a costume” when he was on stage at the height of the group’s fame.

Claiming people “weren’t really seeing what was going on”, Liam told The Sun: “I shouldn’t have been able to do as many shows as we did, if I’m honest about it, if I’m brutally honest about it.

Liam also revealed how he once pulled out of a concert citing sickness, but it was because he was actually struggling to cope with his break-up from ex-girlfriend Sophia Smith. 

Liam previously opened up about his lowest moment in the band, revealing how what should have been a low-key night spending time with his mum and dad was ruined by a photographer.

Telling how a “clumsy cameraman” accidentally knocked his mother, Karen, over, he told The Mirror: “I just wanted a burger with my parents.

Liam is now enjoying success away from One Direction, having launched his solo career with the hit singles ‘Strip That Down’ and ‘Bedroom Floor’.

He is also busy being a dad to son Bear, who he welcomed with girlfriend Cheryl Tweedy back in March.