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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

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's father admires fan tributes outside Argentina hotel following son's death

Liam Payne's father admires fan tributes outside Argentina hotel following son's death
Kevin Perry20 October 2024 00:00

Liam Payne’s ex Danielle Peazer says she’s not ‘mentally strong enough’ to face reality of singer’s death

Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer has candidly spoken out about the singer’s death.

The 36-year-old dancer took to her Instagram Story on October 19 to share a tribute to Payne. After noting that she’s spent the last few days “trying to process the news of Liam’s death,” Peazer expressed her gratitude to fans who’ve sent her messages of support.

“Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to call, text, or DM sending condolences and offering support,” Peazer, who dated Payne from 2010 to 2012 wrote. “I’m so grateful and it’s helped more than you know.”

She continued: “In time I will share more, but right now I don’t feel mentally strong enough to face the reality of what happened.”

Read the full story here:

Liam Payne’s ex Danielle Peazer is not ‘mentally strong enough’ to face his death

The pair dated for two years after meeting on ‘The X Factor’ in 2010

Kevin Perry19 October 2024 23:30

Rita Ora fights back tears as she struggles through Liam Payne tribute live on stage

Rita Ora fights back tears as she struggles through Liam Payne tribute live on stage

Rita Ora fought back tears as she performed a tribute to Liam Payne hours after the One Direction star's death. The musician, 33, sang "For You" — the track she collaborated with Payne on in 2018 — in front of a black and white image of the pair during her show in Osaka, Japan. Ora struggled through the song, asking the audience to sing for her as she sat on a riser with her head in her hands. She later walked off stage with her arms crossed. Payne passed away aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, 16 October, police said.

Kevin Perry19 October 2024 23:00

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

Kevin Perry19 October 2024 22:30

Liam Payne’s sister says ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t save you’ in heartbreaking tribute

Liam Payne’s sister, Ruth Gibbins, paid tribute to her brother in a moving social media post, writing: “I don’t believe this is happening. Many times have I poured my heart out publicly with pride about Liam but never much about life as his sister.

“Liam is my best friend, no one could ever make me laugh as much as him, doing his impressions always had me creasing and he loved seeing how much of a laugh he could get.

“Liam, my brain is struggling to catch up with what’s happening and I don’t understand where you’ve gone. What I do love most about you is your ability to make me laugh, I never chuckle as much as I do when I’m with you with anyone else.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. One last time I need you to know, I’m here if you need anything, I’d drive to the end of the universe to bring you back.

I don’t feel this world was good enough or kind enough to you, and quite often over the last few years, you’ve had to really try hard to overcome all that was being aimed at you.

“You just wanted to be loved and to make people happy with your music. You never believed you were good enough, I hope you can now see this outpouring of love that you never received in your time.”

Kevin Perry19 October 2024 22:00

Liam Payne’s post-One Direction timeline: from podcast fall outs to fatherhood

One Direction’s split seemed inevitable, but the break-up of one of the most successful boybands of all time still made headlines around the world and devastated millions of fans.

Formed on reality TV show The X Factor in 2010, the five-piece comprised late singer Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson. Despite placing third in the contest, the band shot to international fame upon the release of their debut single, the pop-rock anthem “What Makes You Beautiful”.

For the next six years, One Direction experienced a level of fame not seen since Beatlemania: screaming, hysterical fans; paparazzi; intrusive tabloid stories. After the band split in 2016 following a final farewell tour, each of the five members pursued solo careers with varying degrees of success.

Somewhat surprisingly, Payne – who had long-harboured ambitions of being a singer like his idols, Justin Timberlake, Usher and Chris Brown – admitted in 2017 that he had doubts about going solo. “I was just going to go into songwriting and carry on and do that,” he told Billboard. “But then I was like, ‘You’ve been trying to do this since you were 14 years old. You would be ridiculously stupid to turn down the option to have a deal.’ Coming out of the band, we had some pretty good opportunities around us. I had to do something.”

Liam Payne’s post-One Direction timeline: from podcast fall outs to fatherhood

Singer was open about his experiences in the aftermath of the band’s split, as he pursued a solo career and had a son with former ‘X Factor’ judge, Cheryl Tweedy

Kevin Perry19 October 2024 21:00

The father of Liam Payne arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday (18 October) to arrange for the return of his son’s body to the UK.

Geoff Payne has been seen reading tributes and kissing photos of his son outside the Argentina hotel where he died

Argentine authorities said Geoff was headed to the local prosecutor’s office, which is investigating the case as a matter of protocol. Local media reported that he later visited the morgue.

It’s the first time that any of Payne’s family members have been seen publicly since the star’s sudden death, which has led to an outpouring of grief from the world of music and entertainment.

Liam Payne's father admires fan tributes outside Argentina hotel following son's death
Jacob Stolworthy19 October 2024 20:30

Liam Payne’s ex Danielle Peazer says she’s not ‘mentally strong enough’ to face reality of singer’s death

Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer has candidly spoken out about the singer’s death.

The 36-year-old dancer took to her Instagram Story on October 19 to share a tribute to Payne. After noting that she’s spent the last few days “trying to process the news of Liam’s death,” Peazer expressed her gratitude to fans who’ve sent her messages of support.

“Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to call, text, or DM sending condolences and offering support,” Peazer, who dated Payne from 2010 to 2012 wrote. “I’m so grateful and it’s helped more than you know.”

She continued: “In time I will share more, but right now I don’t feel mentally strong enough to face the reality of what happened.”

Read the full story here:

Liam Payne’s ex Danielle Peazer is not ‘mentally strong enough’ to face his death

The pair dated for two years after meeting on ‘The X Factor’ in 2010

Kevin Perry19 October 2024 19:44

Reports Liam Payne was ‘dropped by record label’ as X Factor co-star hits out at Simon Cowell

Former X Factor contestant Katie Waissel, who appeared in the same series as Liam Payne and his One Direction bandmates, has hit out at show creator Simon Cowell following the singer’s death.

Payne died in a fall from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday 16 October. Local authorities are carrying out an autopsy, with the preliminary results released yesterday (17 October).

Waissel shared a lengthy statement upon the news of Payne’s death, calling him her “dear friend” and her “confident”, who offered her support during some of her “darkest moments” while on The X Factor.

“Liam was kind, with a pure heart, a sharp mind, and the wisdom of an old soul,” she said. “His warmth and compassion left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

“His tragic passing not only leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who loved him but also serves as a painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry.

Full story:

Liam Payne’s X Factor co-star hits out at Simon Cowell amid record label report

One Direction star and solo singer, who has died aged 31, was reportedly dealt a blow by his label after the release of his last single, ‘Teardrops’

Jacob Stolworthy19 October 2024 19:40

Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend he met on ‘X Factor’ shares tribute

Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer, whom the One Direction star met when she was a backing dancer on The X Factor, has paid tribute to the singer.

They dated from 2010 to 2012.

Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer pays tribute
Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer pays tribute (Instagram)
Jacob Stolworthy19 October 2024 19:20

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