LIAM Payne’s One Direction bandmates have broken their silence with a heartfelt tribute following the star’s tragic death.
Singer and dad-of-one Liam, 31, died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
Liam shot to fame alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik as part of One Direction after auditioning for X Factor in 2010 aged just 14.
They became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time before going their separate ways in 2016.
In a statement shared on Thursday evening the band said: “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
“But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
It comes as…
- Liam’s cause of death released by medics
- Troubling pics from Liam’s hotel room show white powder
- Niall Horan seen for first time since his death
- Zayn Malik ‘in absolute bits’ after hearing news
- Simon Cowell steps down from BGT
- A heartbreaking 911 call from worried hotel staff was revealed
- Liam’s girlfriend revealed why she left Argentina
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
“We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
Louis added his own separate tribute on social media, writing on Instagram: “His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.
“Thank you for shaping us Liam.
“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
“I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.”
On X Factor, the band placed third, losing out to Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson, but ultimately became an international phenomenon.
Some of their most famous hits included What Makes You Beautiful, Night Changes, Best Song Ever and Perfect.
Selling over 70 million records worldwide, One Direction accumulated such a fanbase it was compared to Beatlemania.
During their career they earned seven Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards and six Billboard awards..
One Direction statement in full
We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.
The band went on hiatus in 2016, a year after Zayn Malik left the group, to pursue their own solo careers.
Liam’s solo album LP1 was released in 2019, and included tracks Strip That Down with Quavo, Get Low with Zedd and For You with Rita Ora.
He had been in South American city Argentina with girlfriend Kate Cassidy for two weeks to see his former 1D band member Niall Horan on tour.
Kate recently decided to return home to the States while Liam stayed on.
Having spent time at a friend’s house, the singer-songwriter decided to stay at the Hotel Casa Sur in the neighbourhood of Palermo, which is where he died.
In Snapchat posts shared shortly before his death, but seemingly filmed days earlier, he spoke about about riding horses, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home to see his dog.
“It’s a lovely day here in Argentina,” he declared in one.
But at some point, things took a tragic turn and the hotel’s reception manager frantically called cops telling them that Liam was under the influence of drink and drugs and had trashed his room.
They begged police to come quickly amid fears Liam’s life was at risk due to his third floor room having a balcony.
Reports described Liam’s behaviour as ‘erratic’ in the hours before his death and it is claimed he needed to be carried to his room.
Pictures from his room appeared to show a messy table littered with white powdered and burnt aluminium foil.
The singer was pronounced dead at the scene and suffered a fractured skull as well as internal and external bleeding.
A toxicology report has yet to be made public.
FAN FAVOURITE
Devastating videos showed Liam Payne comparing tattoos and talking with fans outside his hotel just days before his death.
Liam took time to make his fans’ dreams come true earlier in the week, posing for pictures, signing autographs and listening to their stories.
One fan credited Liam with “saving my life” and grew emotional meeting his hero.
It prompted Liam to give the man a hug, before they compared the matching arrow tattoos on their arms.
In another clip, Liam, who was wearing a checked shirt and graffiti-covered jeans, sang in Spanish to a female fan after she asked if he’d been listening to any local music.
There was also a montage of the smiling pop star meeting and greeting supporters, some of whom broke down in tears.
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED fans have started to flood Liam Payne’s last Instagram post with sad tributes as news of the singer’s death emerges.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning today.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show today and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace
