Liam Payne thanks fans for ‘everything’

Liam Payne has thanked fans for "everything" on the sixth anniversary of his ‘X Factor’ audition.

The 22-year-old singer was plucked from obscurity to join Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik to form One Direction after they all tried out for the TV talent show in 2010 and Liam can’t believe how much his life has changed since then.

He tweeted: "Wow! six years since my audition so much has changed in my life from amazing adventures to life love and happiness thank you for everything (sic)."

One Direction – who are currently on an indefinite hiatus – went on to become the biggest boyband in the world while Liam also found happiness in his personal life.

He has been dating former ‘X Factor’ judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, since December.

Liam’s audition six years ago was not the first time he tried out for ‘The X Factor’; he made it as far as Judges’ Houses in 2008 before being sent home before the live shows.

Meanwhile, Liam brought Cheryl, 32, to his sister Ruth’s wedding over the weekend and wrote the song that Ruth and her new husband had their first dance to.

Ruth’s husband Thomas Gibbons wrote on Instagram: "Still can’t get over this weekend, one I’ll never forget marrying my best friend @roo0990 and having the honour of the first dance to a song brilliantly written by @fakeliampayne . Cannot begin to thank liam and everyone else enough for their kind words and generosity. #married #somerfordhall (sic)."

And Liam’s One Direction bandmate Niall Horan recently teased that here is a "little bit of a story" behind the hunk’s romance with Cheryl.

He said: "There’s a little bit of a story behind it but I won’t be telling you that.

"She’s a great girl, really fun. He’s a top man and one of my best friends. She seems happy, he’s happy, so I’m happy for them."