Liam Payne death latest: Cheryl says son Bear ‘has to face reality of never seeing father again’
Singer died aged 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, sparking tributes from his One Direction bandmates, Sheeran, Robbie Williams, and his ‘heartbroken’ family
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Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmates have said they are “devastated” over the singer’s sudden death, aged 31, after he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
Payne, who shot to fame after joining the pop group on reality TV contest The X Factor in 2010 along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, was described as a “kind, funny and brave soul” in a tribute from his surviving bandmates.
Cheryl, the mother of Payne’s 7-year-old son Bear, has also posted a statement opening up about her grief at an “indescribably painful time.”
Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy said she is at “a complete loss”, while Simon Cowell, who was instrumental in the rise of One Direction, said Payne’s young son Bear will be “so proud” of everything his father achieved.
Payne’s cause of death was revealed in a preliminary autopsy on Thursday 17 October. Photos taken by officials of his hotel room showed it in a state of disarray, with a smashed TV screen and debris scattered around the surfaces.
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Cheryl Cole breaks silence on ‘earth shattering’ death of her child’s father Liam Payne
Liam Payne drew the short straw in One Direction – now we’ll never know the real him
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Louis Tomlinson shares heartfelt message calling Payne ‘the most vital part of One Direction'
Shortly after the official joint statement from One Direction, Louis Tomlinson shared a personal message on his Instagram.
Tomlinson wrote: “I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.
“I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for. Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band. And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. 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.
“A message to you Liam if you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours , reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be. 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 chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X”
Liam Payne fans sing his songs at candlelit vigil outside hotel after singer's death
Liam Payne: The ambitious One Direction star who struggled with dark side of fame
From his childhood in Wolverhampton, Payne was drawn to singers such as Usher and Justin Timberlake. Read his obituary in full here:
Liam Payne: The ambitious One Direction star who struggled with dark side of fame
Singer, who rose to fame as a member of boyband One Direction, died aged 31 after falling from a hotel in Buenos Aires
Liam Payne's first television appearance aged 14
Here’s a look back at the first moment Liam Payne appeared on our screens...
Liam Payne drew the short straw in One Direction – now we’ll never know the real him
Both in the band and out of it, the pop star struggled to find his defining identity, writes The Independent’s Mark Beaumont. Attempts at telling the world who he is with a second solo album and a documentary fell on deaf ears. His life now cut tragically short, the singer may remain elusive forever.
Read the full piece here:
Liam Payne drew the short straw in One Direction – now we’ll never know the real him
Both in the band and out of it, the pop star struggled to find his defining identity, writes Mark Beaumont. Attempts at telling the world who he is with a second solo album and a documentary fell on deaf ears. His life now cut tragically short, the singer may remain elusive forever
Liam Payne watches Niall Horan concert in Argentina days before death
Camila Cabello remembers Payne for his kindness
Camila Cabello, the 27-year-old Cuban-born pop star who rose to fame as a member of girl group Fifth Harmony, has recalled the impact Payne had on her when they first met.
Writing on her Instagram Stories, Cabello said: “thank you Liam for all the joy you brought my friends and i. it really made an impression on me as a young girl to meet a member of a group i loved and have him be so kind. it’s a tragedy to have him gone way too soon.”
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