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Liam Payne death latest: Zayn Malik postpones tour after ‘heartbreaking loss’ of One Direction star

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

Jacob Stolworthy,Roisin O'Connor,Kevin E G Perry
Saturday 19 October 2024 20:21 BST
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One Direction singer Liam Payne dies aged 31

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Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik has announced he is postponing his US tour in the wake of the singer’s sudden death, aged 31.

Meanwhile in Argentina, Payne’s father thanked fans for their support after his son 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.

In a moving Instagram post, the singer’s sister Ruth Gibbins said “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you” .

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.

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: 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

Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 12:41

Zayn Malik admits he and Liam Payne ‘butted heads’ in emotional tribute to late One Direction bandmate

Zayn Malik has admitted he sometimes “butted heads” with Liam Payne in an emotional tribute to his late One Direction bandmate.

Alongside a sweet photo of himself asleep in Payne’s lap on a tour bus, while Payne is also asleep slumped over on top of him, Malik wrote: “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.

Full story:

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

Kevin EG Perry18 October 2024 10:21

BREAKING: Ed Sheeran ‘at a loss for words’ after death of Liam Payne

Ed Sheeran has shared a tribute on Instagram, writing: “At a loss for words. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones, every memory I have with him is a great one, just such a heartbreaking situation. Be kind. X”

Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 10:10

All the tributes to Liam Payne so far

Family members, fellow stars, fans and admireres have paid tribute to Liam Payne following his sudden death aged 31.

Harry Styles’s mother and Niall Horan’s brother lead tributes to One Direction singer

Dermot O’Leary, Charlie Puth, and UK prime minister Keir Starmer all expressed their condolences

Roisin O'Connor18 October 2024 10:01

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

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