Liam Payne sports a rugged new look with long hair and a beard

Liam Payne has been sticking to lockdown rules like the rest of the UK.

But ahead of his BAFTAs performance this weekend, the One Direction star, 27, was seen heading out for rehearsals, sporting a rugged new look.

Liam was seen waiting to rehearse in a white muscle Tee, with long shaggy hair and a beard.

The singer seemed pensive as he strolled around the set, his tattooed arms folded.

Liam often sports a cleaner cut look, at one point having a buzzcut and going clean-shaven.

His new hair is reminiscent of former bandmate Harry Styles, who once sported similarly long tresses.

Across town, another member of the One Direction set was also sporting a new rugged lockdown look. 

Niall Horan was clearly following the rules and keeping out of the barber shops as he was spotted strolling through London with a thicker head of hair.

The Slow Hands hitmaker didn’t same fazed by the freezing weather as he stepped out in shorts and a gilet while running errands in the capital.  

Meanwhile,Liam is set to perform at the 2021 British Academy Film Awards using augmented reality to create an avatar which will stream on viewers’ phones. 

The singer will take to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday as part of the awards, which will take place over the weekend on BBC One.

In a world-first, Liam will be recorded live and beamed to fans in the UK on their mobile phones via the AR app The Round.   

On the night, the star’s body, facial movements, and live audio data will be instantly transformed into 3D animations to create the immersive experience. 

He will be wearing a motion capture suit containing sensors that pick-up his every movement, and a specially designed headset that tracks his facial and vocals. 

This data will be live-synced and transmitted in real-time for fans across the UK to experience the performance live through their phones, anywhere they are.

The platinum-selling artist, who has sold more than 23million singles since going solo, will then be joined by his avatar as a hologram on stage as he performs.     

Ahead of his performance, Liam said: ‘To be able to perform live via my very own Avatar blows my mind a little bit! 

‘I’m really excited for everyone to see what we’ve been working on. The strides in tech at the minute are phenomenal and I can’t wait to see what we’ll be doing next. 

‘For now, this Sunday, you can take a first-look at my EE BAFTA performance, delivered by my real life Avatar live in your kitchen, bedroom, on the bus or at the park…see you there.’  

Last month, it was announced that Dermot O’Leary, Clara Amfo and Edith Bowman are set to host the BAFTAs as bosses unveiled their plans for a virtual ‘celebration of talent’.

The trio will host a ceremony spread over two nights on 10 and 11 April, with all nominees accepting their prizes virtually due to the Covid pandemic.

In a statement bosses confirmed they’re hoping the weekend will be a ‘celebration of talent’ despite the ongoing pandemic, after announcing their most diverse list of nominees in the awards’ 74-year history.  

Clara will first present the EE BAFTA Film Awards Opening Night on Saturday 10 April, where eight of BAFTA’s 17 awards will be presented. 

Dermot and Edith will then host the second night of the BAFTAs on Sunday 11 April where the main acting awards will be presented, including the sought-after Best Film and Best British Film.