Liam Payne has confirmed he is dating childhood friend, Sophia Smith.

The One Direction heartthrob - who split up with dancer Danielle Peazer in May - has recently started a relationship with Sophia, who he has known since they both attended St. Peter's Collegiate in Wolverhampton.

When Liam was asked at the press conference for the band's new movie 'This Is Us', ''You've got a girlfriend?'', he replied: ''Yep it's new''.

Yahoo omg! later questioned the 19-year-old singer further, asking him: ''What's this about you having a new girlfriend?'', and Liam pointed out the pretty brunette, saying: ''Yes yes I do. she's sitting right over there. It's not been long.''

It was recently revealed that things are already so serious between Sophia and Liam, he flew her out to Los Angeles to join him when One Direction played four nights in the city earlier this month.

A source said: ''Liam has really fallen for her. It's getting very serious, very fast.

''She's a sweet normal girl who likes Liam for who he is, not because he's in the most famous boyband in the world.''

Liam dated Danielle off and on for three years and was linked to singer Leona Lewis during a break in their relationship.