Background
Payne was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, to British parents, who registered her birth at the British Consulate.
Payne was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, to British parents, who registered her birth at the British Consulate.
Payne attended Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School.
She started swimming aged 4, and was noticed aged 8 by British Swimming"s national performance director Bill Sweetenham at a training camp in South Africa. As a result, the family returned to the United Kingdom to live in Heywood, Greater Manchester, when she was 13. Joining Stockport Metro, she has been coached since by Sean Kelly.
As a result, Kelly suggested that she try open water swimming, allowing her to access additional central funding.
She finished first in a time of two hours, one minute and 37.1 seconds. In 2011 in Shanghai, Payne reclaimed the World Championship in the 10 km Open Water event, becoming in the process the first British athlete in any sport to confirm qualification for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
Payne trained at British Swimming"s Intensive Training Centre at Stockport"s Grand Central Pools. The couple had lived in Heywood, Greater Manchester.