Danielle Peazer "needs to grieve privately" following the death of Liam Payne

She wrote on Instagram: "Over the last few days I've been trying to process the news of Liam's death. Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to call, text, or DM sending condolences and offering support. I'm so grateful and it's helped more than you know.

"In time I will share more, but right now I don't feel mentally strong enough to face the reality of what's happened.

"Like all of us, I too am grieving, and need to take some time to do that privately. "

Danielle - who met Liam at an audition for 'The X Factor' in 2010 and dated him until 2012 - also admitted that things have been made difficult by what strangers have said to her online and will explain more in the future but begged her followers to "take care of each other" in the meantime.

She said: "It's a heartbreaking time, which has already been made so much more challenging due to receiving negative and misinformed comments as well pre conceived judgement from those who don't personally know me, Liam or anything about our relationship over the last 14 years.

I will be back soon when I'm ready, but until then please take care of yourselves and each other."

Danielle is now in a relationship with former Captial Radio DJ Sonny Jay and has five-month-old daughter Mia with him, whilst Liam went on to have Bear, seven, with Girls Aloud star Cheryl.

At the time of his death, Liam had been in a relationship with model Kate Cassidy for two years.

Liam shot to fame in 2010 alongside Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik when they placed third on the UK version of 'The X Factor', and they went on to achieve global chart-topping success as the world's first billion-dollar boyband.

The group went on hiatus in 2016 and Liam went on to a solo career with his hit single 'Strip That Down' and his only album 'LP1'.

Just over 24 hours after the tragedy, the 'What Makes You Beautiful' singers released a joint statement, admitting to being "devastated by the news of Liam's passing".

They said: "We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.

"But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.

"The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.

"We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. - Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry. (sic)"