Liam Payne looked after me on X Factor, fame was lonely and I count my blessings I never made it big like him, says pal

X FACTOR star Eoghan Quigg has paid a heartfelt tribute to Liam Payne while revealing he’d never let his own children go on the show.

The Northern Irish singer was a contestant with Liam, aged 14, in 2008 when the One Direction star first tried out for Simon Cowell‘s show.

Liam famously tried again in 2010 and became part of the world’s most successful boy band as a result.

Known as One Direction the band went on to enjoy four world tours, win more than 200 awards, sell more than 70 million records globally and amass over three billion YouTube views until they split in 2016.

Eoghan had a good run in X Factor himself during his time and was eliminated in the fifth series in third place behind runners-up JLS and Alexandra Burke.

The 32-year-old was due to be signed by Cowell but when the music mogul pulled out he signed to RCA instead.

Eoghan released one album in 2009 and then decided to quit showbiz altogether.

But Eoghan never reached the heights of fame that Liam did, and is now a married dad-of-two, working in social media.

Reflecting on their different lives, after Liam’s shocking death on Wednesday at the age of 31, Eoghan also revealed he would advise his children against going on such a show.

Speaking to host Peter Cardwell on Talk TV, he said: “I first met Liam when he was 14 and I was 15.

“So we were quite young, two similar lads, who liked football, liked music, still at school.”

He said they clicked from the start: “Through bootcamp we got to know each other and then when we went to the judges houses we really, really bonded then.”

He also told how Liam’s mother Karen was very motherly towards him.

“I was only 15, it was my third time out of Ireland. She took me under her wing and made sure I was ok,” he said.

TalkTV host Peter suggested they were two ordinary lads, who went on very different paths.

He said: “You had that early success, you stepped out of it and you have the contentment of family and community….

“Liam in contrast pushed ahead and experienced fame and fortune, but obviously drug and alcohol abuse, loneliness, despair and very sadly his death.”

He asked if Eoghan felt things might have been very different if he’d continued in the music industry like Liam, saying: “Do you maybe count your blessings a little bit?”

Eoghan replied: “A little bit I guess,” admitting it was a continual loop of shows, tour bus’s, planes and hotels.

He added: “It can get lonely so that’s why I made the decision when I was 18 to come home.

“It wasn’t really working out, and I was at peace with that but it’s very difficult to come back down to earth as well.

“I had a close-knit family and a community at home where it was easier for me.

“I’m one of the lucky ones.”

Eoghan also admitted that the last time the pair spoke was in 2009: “The last thing he told me was he was going for X Factor again that year.

“It’s a very dark day for the music industry.”

Eoghan, who is in a relationship with Amy Campbell and has three-year-old daughter Emmy Belle continued: “If my child asked me now daddy can I go on a reality TV show, I don’t think I’d be really comfortable with that.

“Just with the social media aspect.

“I was lucky enough when I was on in 2008 social media wasn’t really that big. It was just starting out and I kind of have to count my blessings for that. Because it’s a very dark place.”

TRAGIC ENDING

Liam tragically died after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

As the world mourns the singer insiders are said to believe Liam would “still be with us” if an ambulance had been called when he collapsed in the hotel lobby earlier that day.

A source told the Mail: “If someone had called an ambulance when he collapsed in the hotel lobby instead of taking him back to his room and leaving him in there alone, in a psychotic state, he would still be with us.”

Police had found Liam’s hotel room “in complete disarray” after the singer fell to his death from the balcony.

Argentine authorities said there appeared to be alcohol and narcotics in the suite, with white powder and burnt aluminium foil allegedly found.

It was also revealed the tragic star had checked in to The Priory in late July to try to beat his drugs and booze demons.

A source said: “He gave it a go at overcoming his addictions once and for all. He really wanted to get his life on track.

“All his loved ones were rooting for him.”