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.

New look: Liam Payne was seen heading out for BAFTA rehearsals, sporting a rugged new look

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.

Rugged: Liam has been sticking to lockdown rules like the rest of the UK

Old look: Liam often sports a cleaner cut look, at one point having a buzzcut [pictured 2018]

Rugged: Liam often sports a cleaner cut look, at one point having a buzzcut [L in 2018]

Hanging around: Ahead of his BAFTAs performance this weekend, the One Direction star, 27, was seen waiting to rehearse in a white muscle Tee, with long shaggy hair and a beard

Hanging around: Ahead of his BAFTAs performance this weekend, the One Direction star, 27, was seen waiting to rehearse in a white muscle Tee, with long shaggy hair and a beard

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

Chill: He may well have been hugging himself against the unseasonably freezing London weather

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

Upcoming: Liam is set to perform at the 2021 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday

Upcoming: Liam is set to perform at the 2021 British Academy Film Awards on Sunday

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

Unkempt: His new hair is reminiscent of former bandmate Harry Styles [pictured], who once sported similarly long tresses

Unkempt: His new hair is reminiscent of former bandmate Harry Styles [R], who once sported similarly long tresses

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.   

New experience: Liam's performance uses augmented reality to create an avatar which will stream on viewers' phones

New experience: Liam’s performance uses augmented reality to create an avatar which will stream on viewers’ phones

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.

First look: The singer will take to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday and his body, facial movements, and live audio data will be instantly transformed into 3D animations

First look: The singer will take to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday and his body, facial movements, and live audio data will be instantly transformed into 3D animations

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’.

Plans: Dermot O'Leary is set to host the 2021 British Academy Film Awards

Exciting: Clara Amfo will also present a special ceremony honouring the creative talent

Plans: Dermot O’Leary (left) and Clara Amfo (right) are set to host the BAFTAs as bosses unveiled their plans for a virtual ‘celebration of talent’ last month 

Coming soon: Edith Bowman will join the pair hosting the ceremony spread over two nights on 10 and 11 April, with all nominees accepting their prizes virtually due to the Covid pandemic

Coming soon: Edith Bowman will join the pair hosting the ceremony spread over two nights on 10 and 11 April, with all nominees accepting their prizes virtually due to the Covid pandemic

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.