(Image: IAN WEST)
Louis Tomlinson says combining fatherhood with his music career can be “incredibly stressful” and “a bit uncomfortable”.
The former One Direction singer, who was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, became a father in 2016, when his ex-partner Briana Jungwirth gave birth to Freddie, who is now 10.
Tomlinson is based in the UK, while his son lives in the US.
He said he tries to spend as much time with Freddie as possible and keeps his work separate from being a parent.
'I find it incredibly stressful'
Speaking to Jack Chochrane on the Finding Joy In Short Moments podcast, Tomlinson said: “Being a dad is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also challenging.”
Freddie joined his father at two shows during Tomlinson’s recent run of concerts in the US.
Tomlinson said: “I normally do a really good job of splitting myself down the middle – me as dad, and me at work as a singer.”
He said having both parts of his life together made it harder to focus before performing.
Tomlinson said: “When those two worlds meet, I find it incredibly stressful because all I want to do is give all of my time to Freddie, but the mental game to stand up on stage is also quite consuming.”
'It’s a bit uncomfortable'
Tomlinson said he rarely discusses his work as a pop star with his son.
Tomlinson said: “Me and my son almost pretend that I don’t do this job – we live our lives as normally as we possibly can.”
He added: “When home and work collide, it’s a bit uncomfortable as, truthfully, all I want to do is spend my time with him.”
The singer also spoke about his career and said he tries not to compare himself with his former One Direction bandmates.
Tomlinson said: “Sometimes I might not think I am good enough to be on the stage. But I never leave the stage with that feeling.”
He previously said that, when in the US, he tries to be a full-time dad to Freddie.