Yahoo News Liam Payne's difficult year: Driving ban latest trouble for One Direction star
The One Direction star has been banned from driving for speeding.
Liam Payne has been issued with a six month driving ban after pleading guilty to speeding.
It is the latest problem for the 30-year-old One Direction star who has had a difficult year which has included time in rehab to work on his sobriety and a string of health problems.
The driving ban comes just a month after the Stack It Up singer was reportedly admitted to hospital in Italy, just weeks after postponing his South American tour.
So what has gone wrong for the 1D hearthrob? Here is what we know.
Why was he banned from driving?
Payne was caught driving his Ford Ranger pick-up truck at 43mph in a 30mph zone on the A40 Westway flyover in west London on February 24 2023.
The Drag Me Down singer pleaded guilty but said in a letter to the court: "I did not realise the speed limit and apologise for speeding.”
Payne did not submit documents to disclose how much money he earned but said “I am self employed and cannot provide the information at this stage.
“However, I will pay any fine imposed within 14 days.”
He has now been sentenced to a six month driving ban. He was also fined £293, told to pay a surcharge of £117 and £90 in costs.
Read more: Liam Payne banned from driving after admitting speeding (PA, 1 min read)
Why was he in hospital?
Payne was on holiday in Lake Como, Italy, celebrating his one year anniversary with girlfriend Kate Cassidy when he fell ill, according to reports.
It was claimed he was admitted for treatment while doctors investigated further, and he was told he would not be discharged for several days.
Read more: Liam Payne ‘taken to hospital’ during Italian break with girlfriend (Evening Standard, 2 min read)
Why did he postpone his tour?
Payne announced in a video posted on Instagram in August that he was postponing his solo tour of South America after he had been in hospital with a "serious kidney infection". He said he was "sorry" but doctors had advised him to rest and recover and he did not feel able to do that while on the road.
The tour was scheduled to kick off on 1 September in Lima, Peru, with subsequent stops in Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. The singer promised the shows are in the process of being rescheduled and that all tickets would be refunded.
New dates are yet to be confirmed but fans can sign up for notifications on his official website.
Read more: Liam Payne cancels tour after developing 'serious' kidney infection (Entertainment Weekly, 1 min read)
What other conditions has he been diagnosed with?
Payne - who is father to six-year-old son Bear with ex-partner Cheryl - confessed to fans in July that he was feeling “super low” and had been “diagnosed with a couple of conditions”.
Opening up about the health issues he was battling he confessed he experiences a lot of "manic things in my life".
The Strip That Down singer admitted that in contrast he also suffers "super lows" and he feared that during those moments he would lose his sobriety.
Read more here: Liam Payne says he feels 'super low' and that he's been 'diagnosed with a couple of conditions' (Yahoo Celebrity UK, 2 min read)
Why did he go to rehab?
Payne revealed in May 2023 that he had spent time in rehab and was more than 100 days sober.
The singer said he felt he hit rock bottom in 2022 after he made disparaging comments about his former 1D bandmate Zayn Malik on Logan Paul's podcast.
Payne apologised after reflecting on what he had said, and it prompted him to check in to rehab and work towards sobriety.
Read more here: Liam Payne says he’s over 100 days sober: ‘I feel amazing’ (Independent, 3 min read)
How long has he struggled with his mental health?
Payne was just 14 when he first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008. He did not make it past Boot Camp but returned to the talent show in 2010 and became part of globally successful boyband One Direction.
But the pressures of international fame and constantly being on the road with the band from such a young age took its toll on Payne.
In 2021 he opened up about his struggles with addiction and depression during his time in 1D. Payne admitted he became reliant on alcohol and experienced suicidal thoughts.
Read more here: Liam Payne says he struggled with 'severe' suicidal ideation and addiction when he was in One Direction (INSIDER, 4 min read)
For confidential emotional support at times of distress, contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
Watch: Liam Payne hospitalised with serious kidney infection
