Louis Tomlinson has paid an emotional tribute to his late mother on what would have been her birthday. 

Johannah Deakin passed away in December following a secret battle with leukaemia and today (March 25), on what would have been her 44th birthday, Louis, 25, took to his Twitter to share a poignant message.

He wrote: "Happy birthday mum, I love you."

Johannah was also mother to Lottie, 18, Felicite, 16, twins Daisy and Phoebe, 13, and three-year-old twins Ernest and Doris.

And Louis' younger sister Daisy posted a picture of her with their mother on Instagram and wrote: "Happy birthday mummy, i can't put in to words how much I miss you but I know your are looking over us and protecting us all. Thank you for always being there for me, you are the bravest women ever and a little fighter but gods takes the best, I hope your safe and having a nice birthday filled with fun. I hope I have made you proud and continue to and I love you billions, i will never forget you because you are the most important person in my life and I am eternally greatful for all the amazing memories I had with you mummy (sic)."

Just three days after Johannah died, Louis had to still debut his single 'Just Hold On' with Steve Aoki at 'The X Factor' final and called it a tribute to his mother.

Speaking about his mother's passing, he said: "It's not something that I feel 100 per cent comfortable talking too much about but just quickly, when I first found out the news I kind of did want to throw the towel in.

"But it was my mum who said to me that I've just got to keep going, telling me very sternly that she wanted me to."

After the performance, 'X Factor' judge and Syco label owner, Simon Cowell, told Louis: "I have to say something to you. I've known you for six years, what you've just done - the bravery.

"I respect you as an artist and I respect you as a person."

And Louis' One Direction bandmates, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Harry Styles were also backstage at the show to lend him their support in light of the fact that he hadn't even had a chance to bury his mother, and despite the fact that they were all supposed to be on a hiatus.