Liam Payne’s Ex Danielle Peazer, Who He Met on The X Factor, Reacts to His Death: ‘It’s a Heartbreaking Time’

Peazer posted a tribute to the late singer on her Instagram Stories on Oct. 19

Liam Payne, Danielle Peazer

Liam Payne, Danielle Peazer. Photo: Joseph Okpako/WireImage; Mike Marsland/WireImage

Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer is sharing her reaction to the singer’s death.

Peazer, 36, who dated Payne for two years after meeting on the U.K.’s talent show The X Factor in 2010, posted a tribute to the late singer on Saturday, Oct. 19, following his sudden death at age 31 on Oct. 16.

“Over the last few days I’ve been trying to process the news of Liam’s death,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories. “Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to call, text, or DM sending condolences and offering support … it’s helped more than you know.”

Peazer said that, “right now I don’t feel mentally strong enough to face the reality of what’s happened,” referring to Payne’s death. “Like all of us, I too am grieving, and need to take some time to do that privately,” she continued.

Danielle Peazer and Liam Payne at Whiskey Mist night club on April 2, 2013 in London, England.

Peazer and Payne pictured together in 2013.Mark Robert

The late singer’s ex added that “it’s a heartbreaking time” that has been made “so much more challenging due to receiving negative and misinformed comments as well as pre-conceived judgment from those who don’t personally know me, Liam or anything about our relationship over the past 14 years.”

“I will be back soon when I’m ready, but until then please take care of yourselves and each other,” Peazer concluded, adding a red heart emoji.

Payne died after falling several stories from a balcony in Argentina on Oct. 16.

The former One Direction star and Peazer met when he competed on The X Factor and she was a backup dancer on the show in 2010. The pair went on to date from 2010 to September 2012.

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JANUARY 21: Liam Payne attends the Grand Reveal Weekend for Atlantis The Royal, Dubai's new ultra-luxury hotel on January 21, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Payne died at age 31 on Oct. 16 (pictured in 2023).Jeff Spicer/Getty

They were spotted several times together following their split, including in New York City in December 2012, as seen in photos posted by E! Online, and in London after a night out in April 2013, per Daily Mail photos. The two were also seen more recently, leaving London’s Nobu Hotel together in June 2022, in photos also published by the Daily Mail.

Since then, Peazer has welcomed her first child, a daughter, with her current partner Sonny Jay. She shared the news of her little girl’s arrival on her Instagram page in May.

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Simon Cowell with One Direction (from left) Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan attending a press conference for X Factor,

Payne (pictured left) pictured during his time ‘The X Factor’ with One Direction in 2010.Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty

Peazer’s tribute to Payne comes after the late singer’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who had joined him in Argentina days before his death, shared her tribute to him on Friday, Oct. 18.

Cassidy, 25, wrote on her Instagram Stories, “…I have been at a complete loss. Nothing about the past few days have felt real. I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private.”

She concluded, “Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam.”