Liam Payne death latest: One Direction star’s sister says ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t save you’ in moving tribute
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 father has “thanked” his son’s fans for their support over the singer’s sudden death, aged 31, after he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
Geoff Payne was seen reading tributes and kissing photos of his son outside the hotel where he died, one day before the singer’s sister said “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you” in a moving Instagram post.
Payne’s former One Direction bandmates have said they are “devastated” over the singer’s death, while Cheryl, the mother of Payne’s 7-year-old son Bear, has opened up about her grief at an “indescribably painful time.”
The singer, 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.
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.
Niall Horan recalls last conversation with Liam Payne: ‘I didn’t know I was saying goodbye forever’
Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole’s relationship: Timeline from X Factor meeting to coparenting son Bear
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
Liam Payne’s legal issues with ex-fiancée Maya Henry explained
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
Zayn Malik admits he and Liam Payne ‘butted heads’ in emotional tribute
Zayn Malik admitted he sometimes “butted heads” with Liam Payne in his emotional tribute to his late One Direction bandmate.
He wrote: “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.”
Read the full statement here:
Zayn Malik admits he and Liam Payne ‘butted heads’ in emotional tribute to bandmate
‘I always secretly respected you for it,’ wrote Malik in his heatfelt message
Harry Styles remembers Payne’s ‘infectious’ energy for life
Harry Styles posted a personal message to his Instagram page, paying tribute to Payne.
“I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing,” he wrote.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around tehworld who knew and loved him, as I did.”
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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