The late pop star, who was only 14 when he first auditioned for the reality talent competition show in 2008, sang the Frank Sinatra classic “Fly Me To The Moon.”
Following Payne’s performance, judge Simon Cowell told him, “I think there is potential with you, Liam.”
“I’m just missing a bit of grit, a bit of emotion, and actually a bit of fun, funny enough,” he added.
Fellow judge Cheryl Cole — whom Payne later dated and welcomed a son with before the couple ultimately split in 2018 — said Payne was “really cute,” pointing to his “charisma” and his “cheeky wink.”
Meanwhile, judge Louis Walsh told Payne back at his 2008 audition, “I think this kid could do fantastic on the show.”
Cowell chimed in, “You’re a young guy, good-looking, people will like you. But there’s 20% missing from you at the moment.”
Payne replied, “Well, give me another audition and I’ll show you I got that 20%.”
