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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

Roisin O'Connor,Kevin E G Perry
Saturday 19 October 2024 10:12 BST
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One Direction singer Liam Payne dies aged 31

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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.

David Beckham pays tribute to ‘kind and generous’ singer

David Beckham has shared a photo of him with late One Direction star Liam Payne at an event, writing: “Such [a] kind generous person and will be missed in so many ways.”

Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 09:41

Liam Payne's first television appearance aged 14

Liam Payne's first television appearance aged 14
Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 09:21

Liam Payne’s legal issues with ex-fiancée Maya Henry explained

The 31-year-old, who first found fame through the X Factor, died after falling from the third floor balcony of his hotel, the CasaSur Palermo, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The circumstances surrounding the incident are currently being investigated.

Payne began dating the 23-year-old Texan model in 2019, becoming engaged the following year. By June 2021, the couple had decided to end their relationship, but rekindled later the same year before breaking off their engagement for a second and final time in May 2022.

Liam Payne’s legal issues with ex-fiancée Maya Henry explained

One Direction singer has died aged 31, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires

Maira Butt18 October 2024 09:01

Zayn Malik’s tribute to Liam Payne in full

“Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.

“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.

“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f***s about telling people when they were wrong. Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.

“When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison. I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.

“I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.

“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.

“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro”

Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 08:41

Hotel staff’s frantic 911 call to police before Liam Payne’s death revealed in heartbreaking transcript

Hotel’s frantic 911 call to police before Liam Payne’s death revealed in transcript

The hotel manager told the operator that police were needed ‘urgently’ because the guest’s ‘life is at risk’

Kevin Perry18 October 2024 08:30

Liam Payne cause of death revealed in preliminary autopsy

The One Direction singer was pronounced dead on Wednesday (October 16), after emergency services responded to a hotel manager’s call about an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.

Liam Payne cause of death revealed in preliminary autopsy

Liam Payne suffered ‘internal and external’ bleeding after fatal fall from hotel balcony, initial autopsy reveals

Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 08:21

Sharon Osbourne says ‘we all let you down’ in tribute to Liam Payne

“Liam, my heart aches,” Sharon Osbourne wrote in a tribute to Liam Payne on Instagram.

“We all let you down. Where was this industry when you needed them? You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner?

“Rest in peace my friend.”

Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 08:03

Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole’s relationship: Timeline from X Factor meeting to coparenting son Bear

Liam Payne has died aged 31, after falling from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The One Direction singer was in a relationship with influencer Kate Cassidy at the time of his death, while ex-fiancée Maya Henry had issued a cease and desist last week alleging that the musician continued to contact her.

Prior to meeting Cassidy in October 2022, and Henry in 2019, Liam was in a relationship with former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole.

The pair share one seven-year-old son together, Bear.

We break down the timeline of the couple’s unconventional meeting and subsequent relationship:

Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole’s relationship: From X Factor meeting to coparenting

Couple first met on the ‘X Factor’ in 2008 and share a seven-year-old son together

Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 08:01

Scott Mills breaks down in tears during message to Liam Payne's father on Radio 2 show

Scott Mills breaks down in tears during message to Liam Payne's father on Radio 2 show
Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 07:41

Liam Payne’s ‘devastated’ One Direction bandmates share tribute: ‘We will miss him terribly’

Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmates have paid tribute to the singer following his death in a hotel fall, aged 31.

In a statement signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry”, Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates 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.”

Full story:

One Direction stars pay tribute to ‘brother’ after Liam Payne dies aged 31

Tributes have poured in for the former One Direction star after he died in a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires

Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 07:21

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