Liam Payne had some serious things to say about leaving the band that made him famous: I needed to stop, definitely. It would have killed me.

In an appearance on the Table Manners with Jessie Ware podcast, Payne said he was definitely over-worked and that being in One Direction was a mega stressful period of his life.

After five albums over five years, the boy band broke up in 2015.

It was really scary at first, Payne said of the split, which the band initially called a hiatus. He went on to say that staying in the band wouldve killed him one hundred percent.

The 26-year-old explained how the fame impacted him: Theres no stop button. Youve got no control over your life. Thats why I lost complete control of everything.

Payne talked about the dangerous patterns he was stuck in, telling Ware, I just lived so long as this reclusive pop star who was afraid of people, who just stayed inside all the time.

He also added: Youre either going to end up a crazy child star who dies at whatever age, or youre going to live life and actually get on with it. He said he has since learned how to be a person.

Since the band broke up, Payne and each of the bands other members Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik have gone on to pursue solo careers.

Paynes first solo album is finished and slated for release in 2020 .