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'Just a boy': Stars pay tribute after Liam Payne's 'heartbreaking' death

TV presenter Dermot O’Leary remembers the One Direction star as someone who 'just loved to sing'

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Stars and fans have paid tribute to Liam Payne after he was found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires (Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP)
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Tributes have poured in for Liam Payne, after the former One Direction star was found dead at a hotel in Buenos Aires.

TV presenter Dermot O’Leary called it “the worst news” in a post on Instagram, which featured a photo of him standing on stage with Payne.

“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 wrote.

“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.

Buenos Aires police said Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighborhood of Argentina’s capital, resulting in “extremely serious injuries.” Medics confirmed his death on the spot.

Harry Styles’ mother Anne Twist posted a broken-hearted emoji on Instagram, captioning it: “Just a boy.”

Singer Olly Murs, who starred on The X Factor a year before One Direction, said he was “lost for words”, describing Payne’s death as “devastating” on Instagram.

“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 pair.

“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.”

Fans of One Direction and Liam Payne gathered outside the hotel to sing the band’s songs and leave a candle at an improvised altar (Photo: Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Payne had a high profile relationship with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl between 2016 and 2018, and share a son Bear Grey Payne, born in 2017.

Downing Street also offered condolences to Payne’s family and friends on behalf of Sir Keir Starmer.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister’s sincere condolences are with Liam’s family and friends at this time.

“One Direction were one of the biggest bands in history and their music had a huge impact on many millions of fans around the world.”

US singer Charlie Puth, a co-writer on Payne’s 2017 song Bedroom Floor, said he was in “shock” after Payne’s death.

“Liam was always so kind to me,” he posted on Instagram, alongside a collection of photos of the pair working together.

“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.”

Rylan Clark said Payne’s “tragic” death was “extremely sad news” in a post on X, while fellow former X Factor contestants Jedward sent their love to Cheryl, his son Bear and “all the One Direction family”.

Rolling Stones member Ronnie Wood said on X: “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.”

Socialite Paris Hilton also paid tribute in a post on X, calling the singer’s death “so upsetting”.

“Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones,” she wrote, adding: “RIP my friend.”

The X Factor said that Payne will “leave a lasting legacy on the music industry” in a post on its official X account.

“We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” the post read.

“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.”

DJ and music producer Zedd called the news of Liam Payne’s death “absolutely heartbreaking”.

Singing duo Jedward sent their love to his young son Bear and family.

“Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear, and all the One Direction family,” Jedward wrote on X.

A statement on MTV’s official social media accounts said: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of Liam Payne’s tragic passing today. During this difficult time, our hearts remain with his family, loved ones, and fans.”

American singer and rapper Ty Dolla Sign said he will “miss” Payne, captioning videos and pictures on his Instagram story: “Just talked to you two days ago my guy.”

Fans of British singer Liam Payne lit candles next to the hotel where he died (Photo by LUIS ROBAYO/AFP via Getty Images)

Food bank charity Trussell paid tribute to Payne, who had helped provide more than 360,000 meals to people struggling as a result of the pandemic in 2020, for his “compassion and kindness”.

“We are extremely saddened by the news of Liam Payne’s death,” said Trussell chief executive Emma Revie.

“Over the last four years, Liam was a generous supporter of Trussell and our community of food banks, not only funding the provision of more than 360,000 meals during Covid but also often joining us in calling for the solutions required to end the need for emergency food.

“We greatly appreciate the compassion and kindness he always showed to people facing hunger and hardship. His death is a very tragic loss, and our thoughts are with his loved ones.”

Britain’s Got Talent has announced it will postpone auditions for the show following Payne’s death.

A spokesman for the programme’s producer, Freemantle UK, said: “Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the Britain’s Got Talent auditions.

“Our thoughts are with Liam’s friends, family and all who loved him.”

The producer did not confirm when the auditions will resume.

People also gathered outside the Casa Sur Hotel to pay their respects, with many lighting candles at an improvised altar.

One 25-year-old fan, Yamila Zacarias, told the Reuters news agency her family had made a lot of effort so she could see One Direction when they came to Argentina, but she had decided not to go as her parents didn’t have much money then.

“He meant a lot to me because the band came into my life at this time when you’re trying to be a part of something, and being a One Direction fan became that something for me,” she said. “This was the only time I could applaud him.”

Violeta Antier, another fan, told Reuters she had come straight away after he sister told her Payne had died.

“I saw him two weeks ago at a Niall (Horan) concert, another One Direction member. He was there, I saw him,” she said.

“He was ok.”

Payne had attended the Buenos Aires concert of his former bandmate Niall Horan on the Argentine leg of a Latin American tour on 2 October.

Payne, who co-wrote many One Direction songs including “Night Changes” and “Story of my Life”, had previously spoken publicly about his struggles with mental health and using alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame.

Last year he published a video to fans on his YouTube channel in which he spoke about his family, making new art and performing again after having given up alcohol. He thanked supporters for sticking with him through difficult times.

With agencies

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