Liam Payne took to Instagram on Thursday (March 22) to celebrate his son's first birthday.

"Can’t believe my little man is one today, where does the time go? Happy birthday son you’re my world," he wrote alongside a photo of him holding his child, Bear's, hand.

The One Direction alum has kept Bear largely outside the spotlight since welcoming him with girlfriend Cheryl Cole last year.

"Rather than being pictured and being put in places, I wanna give him the chance [of a life outside of the public eye]," he recently told The Evening Standard. "If I take it away from him now, he never has the chance to go back.”

The picture, then, serves as a rare glimpse into Payne's life as a dad.

Outside of fatherhood, Payne has been prepping to release his debut solo album following One Direction's 2016 hiatus. So far, he's shared four singles: "Strip That Down," "Bedroom Floor," "Get Low," featuring Zedd," and the Rita Ora-assisted "For You" from the 50 Shades Freed soundtrack.

His record is expected later this year.

Stormi, Pilot + 16 Other Crazy Celeb Baby Names

More From