Liam Payne tributes from his 'heartbroken' family to One Direction bandmates

Liam Payne's family, his former One Direction bandmates and celebrities have paid tribute to the late star

Singers Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles of One Direction pictured in 2015
Singers Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles of One Direction pictured in 2015. (Getty)

Liam Payne is being remembered by his family, his former One Direction bandmates, celebrity friends and fans after the singer died in Argentina.

Aged 31, the singer died after falling from a balcony on Wednesday evening at around 5pm local time. Police were called to the scene after reports of an "aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol". The singer had been in Argentina to see his friend and former bandmate Niall Horan perform.

Horan, who was the last One Direction bandmate to see Payne alive when they met backstage at his recent gig, was the final star in the group to share his tribute. "I'm absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend," he wrote. "It just doesn't feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure."

He went on: "All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond of friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime."

It followed a day of moving tributes to the late star, including from his heartbroken family. They said in a statement issued by his spokeswoman: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

Liam Payne attending a premiere with his sisters Nicola (L) and Ruth (R). (Getty)
Liam Payne attending a premiere with his sisters Nicola (L) and Ruth (R). (Getty)

It has been reported his older sisters Nicola and Ruth arrived at the family home in the early hours of Thursday where their parents, nurse Ruth and Geoff, live in Codsall, Wolverhampton. Earlier on it was the partner of Payne's sister Nicola, Nick Farnell, who said about the family: "We are utterly devastated by the news but we don't want to comment."

Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy, his ex-girlfriends Cheryl and Maya Henry are yet to break their silence. Henry was said to be in "shock" about the news, according to The Daily Mail.

Read more on Liam Payne’s death

Payne's former One Direction bandmates - Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Horan - all paid tribute to losing their "brother" and shared their devastation with the world.

A statement signed by the band said: “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. For now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly."

Tomlinson said in a separate Instagram post: "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."

Malik also posted his own words saying: "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."

He added: "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."

Styles shared in a separate post: "My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew him and loved him, as I did."

Former bandmate Styles' mum Anne Twist joined the tributes to Payne with three words that said: "Just a boy…"

At the scene in Argentina, hundreds of fans have since gathered outside of Casa Sur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, where they have lit candles in his memory and played his music. Meanwhile, social media was awash with tributes from celebrities and fans who shared emotional tributes to the late star following the news that broke on Wednesday evening.

Aged 16 with the dreams of becoming a singer, Payne found fame on The X Factor as part of boyband One Direction - alongside his former bandmates. The team behind The X Factor shared their heartbreak at hearing the news.

The X Factor's official account paid tribute with the words: "We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne. He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him."

Former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne said the music industry had let him down. She wrote: "Liam, my heart aches. 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."

Former The X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary also shared his memories of the 14-year-old who turned up for the first audition. It was Payne's second audition for The X Factor that would get him noticed and later propel him to stardom.

Fans of One Direction and Liam Payne gathered outside the hotel to sing the band's songs. (Getty)
Fans of One Direction and Liam Payne gathered outside the hotel to sing the band's songs. (Getty)

O'Leary wrote: "The worst news. I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing. He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. Sending love and prayers to his family. Dx."

Olly Murs who appeared on the reality series the year after One Direction had some lovely things to add: "We always had a good laugh when we saw each other, sometimes the catch-ups were only short and sweet but when we did it was mostly about how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF (X Factor) days and the tour we shared together,” Murs wrote beside a picture of the two.

"Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his family and of course his son Bear losing a dad."

JLS star Marvin Humes remembered auditioning in the same year as Payne. He said: "Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro, just can’t believe that things have ended this way, it’s shocking. My thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother."

From the same year on the show, Cher said: "I’ll cherish the memories made and the laughs we had. My thoughts are with your family and friends, with everyone who loves you”, she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of them from their days in the singing competition. My heart is breaking for your Son Bear. Rest in peace Liam."

Celebrities paying tribute to Liam Payne

Many celebrities who had crossed paths with Payne shared their condolences including his friend and singer Rita Ora. They worked together on the song For You for Fifty Shades Freed film and she shared she was struck by his kindness.

Rita Ora and Liam Payne. (Getty)
Rita Ora and Liam Payne. (Getty)

She said: "I’m devastated. He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P."

Robbie Williams recalled his life crossing with the stars on One Direction as he paid tribute. He wrote: "Our paths have crossed ever since that day and I’m fond of them all. Liam’s trials and tribulations were very similar to mine, so it made sense to reach out and offer what I could. So I did."

Ed Sheeran too added: "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."

After the news broke, BBC Radio 2 DJ Scott Mills opened his show with his memories of the star. He said: "I will never forget it. the band were all so lovely - but Liam was the grown up; the wise one and I cannot bear that this is where Liam's story has ended."

The Backstreet Boys shared their tribute online: "Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat. Our hearts go out to Liam's family, friends and Directioners around the world. Rest in peace brother."

SAS Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton said: "After we filmed Straight Talking With Ant Middleton, he was my first celebrity guest and we formed a brotherhood. He was like a younger brother to me. He would confide in me, I’d go around and see him.

Fans of British singer Liam Payne wait near the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires
Fans of British singer Liam Payne wait near the hotel where he died in Buenos Aires. (Getty)

"There were some issues there, but nothing that a young celebrity at his calibre wouldn’t suffer from. I’m just shocked at the moment, wow, don’t really know what to say."

Former One Direction hairstylist Lou Teasdale said: "Sending you all so much love to you all."

Singer Charlie Puth wrote: "Liam was always so kind to me... He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I cannot believe he is gone… I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace."

Liam Payne pictured with girlfriend Kate Cassidy in 2023. (Getty)
Liam Payne pictured with girlfriend Kate Cassidy in 2023. (Getty)

Max George, from boyband The Wanted, said: "Over the last few years I had the pleasure of getting to know him personally and spent some treasured time with him,” he said on Instagram. "Liam was absolutely wonderful in terms of support when Tom (Parker) fell ill, performing at the Royal Albert Hall with us for Stand Up To Cancer. He supported me a lot personally after Tom passed. I will never forget that."

Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood said: "I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Liam Payne. It was a pleasure to work with him on our X Factor performance. God bless Liam, thinking of all his loved ones. He will be dearly missed."

Former The Xtra Factor presenter Konnie Huq told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "I actually found out last night (about his death), but ‘just a boy’ is so right, because really all he’s known in his adult, and pre-adult life as well to some extent, is being in the limelight, and, you know, thrust into this position of global fame, not just sort of being known in your own country, but everywhere, essentially."

Beverley Knight wrote on Instagram: "I always kept my eye on what my fellow Wolverhamptoners in the spotlight were doing, and felt immense pride that a young lad from my town had become a worldwide star, a member of one of the best selling boybands of all time."

The McBusted stars shared their memories of having worked with Payne and the rest of One Direction when they appeared on Thursday's episode of This Morning.

Danny Miller said that the news was "super sad" and Charlie Simpson acknowledged the pressures of social media for young pop stars as Harry Judd said: "He's got a young son, it's absolutely tragic. Nothing but happy memories of when we worked with them. It's all quite a shock really, a lovely guy."

Liam Payne with Ruth and Nicola Payne
Liam Payne with Ruth and Nicola Payne

Matt Willis added of Payne's start on X Factor: "In a matter of weeks you're a global superstar. It's sending shivers down my arms, he's such a lovely bloke. It's so sad, I'm so shocked this morning. It's so tragic. Music is so powerful and what One Direction achieved was incredible. They've got such an amazing history of music. It's a beautiful thing, music."

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org