Liam Payne splits with Sophia Smith: 'I had to do what was best for her'

Singer Liam Payne, of One Direction fame, has confirmed his split from girlfriend Sophia Smith (pictured together below) after two years of dating and confessed that his hectic schedule meant that their time together was always limited.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Payne admitted that the split was tough, but he feels as though it was the best thing to do given the circumstances: "I'm absolutely devastated to have split with Sophia. Being on the tour all this year and being away from her was so hard. We spent so much time apart."

"But in order to do right by somebody sometimes it's better not to do what your heart wants, but to do what's better for them. Right now I'm looking forward to some alone time to figure out who I am and what I want to be."

One Direction will perform live at the American Music Awards, which is set to take place on November 21 at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, and they will also make an appearance on Good Morning America a week after their new album is released, on November 17.

Watch Payne sharing a short clip of a new 1D song called 'Olivia' here: