One Direction star Liam Payne says he took up boxing as a child to boost his confidence in the face of bullies.

The singer is a global heartthrob and the envy of millions, but it seems he was bullied in school just like everyone else.

Speaking to We Love Pop, Payne admitted that he was tormented by older kids when in school and was forced to take matters into his own hands after little help came from above. He said:

"When I was at school I was bullied by a few people who were much older than me. I was in year eight and they were sixth-formers. I went and told me parents and my teachers, but it didn’t stop so I had to sort it out myself.”

The singer added: "I went to camp to learn how to box and it gave me the confidence to know that if I needed to, I could fight back and I could stand up to anyone. Then I got this guy I knew, who was in his early twenties, to pretend to be my big brother and pick me up from school. And as soon as they saw him it suddenly stopped."

One Direction meanwhile have previewed their next single 'Story of My Life' - listen to a clip of the track below.

The song will feature on their upcoming third album Midnight Memories, which will hit shelves on November 25.

Listen to a 'Story of My Life' clip below: