One Direction bandmates ‘completely devastated’ following shock death
Direction have issued a heartfelt statement following the shock death of Liam Payne yesterday.
The 31-year-old died after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson said in the statement.
“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.
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.
“For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly.
Niall Horan promises to ‘cherish every moment we had’
Horan has become the last member to pay tribute to Payne in perhaps the most poignant tribute of them all.
Payne had been in Argentina to attend Horan’s show in Buenos Aires just days ago.
Horan told fans he “didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever”.
“I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam,” Horan began in a statement shared on social media.
“It just doesn’t feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
“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 and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime. I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.
“My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear. That you for everything, Payno. Love you brother. Nialler.”
Harry Styles responds to ‘devastating’ loss
Just over 24 hours after the passing of the One Direction star, Harry Styles shared his heartfelt response, expressing that he was “truly devastated”.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” he said.
“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.”
Styles said the years spent together would “forever remain among the most cherished years” of his life.
“I will miss him always, my lovely friend,” he said.
“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.”
‘Lost a brother’, touching tribute from Louis Tomlinson
Tomlinson released a separate statement, describing Payne as a “positive, funny, and kind soul” who touched the lives of many people.
“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday,” he said.
“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.”
Payne rose to fame as a member of One Direction, a boy band formed on the British television series The X Factor in 2010.
After each singer failed to make it through the competition as solo acts, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges combined the five boys into one of the best-selling boy groups of all time.
One Direction announced they were taking a hiatus in 2015.
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Shrine to Liam Payne outside hotel grows as fans pay tribute
The pair would often speak about returning to the studio together to recapture the writing chemistry they shared as a band.
“It wasn’t to be,” he said.
“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.
“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.”
Payne had a seven-year-old son named Bear, whom he shared with former Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole.
Tomlinson expressed his intention to be like an “Uncle” to Bear, promising to share stories that highlighted just how amazing his father was.
“I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you,” he said.
“Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X.”
‘Love you, bro’, Zayn Malik’s response
Zayn Malik also shared a heartfelt statement, writing he never had a chance to say thank you for supporting him during “some of the most difficult times” in his life.
“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,” Malik said.
“When I was missing home as a 17-year-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.
Malik had a frosty relationship with Payne during their time in One Direction and afterward.
“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f–ks about telling people when they were wrong,” Malik said.
“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 happens on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.”
He went on to thank him, saying he would “cherish all the memories” in his heart forever.
“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,” Malik continued.
“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 at peace 🙏🏽 and you know how loved you are.
“Love you bro.”
Meanwhile, Styles and Horan have yet to release their own tributes.
Police are investigating the death of Payne after his hotel room was found “in complete disarray”.
He was found with “extremely serious injuries” by police in hotel’s internal courtyard, after he fell about 13 to 14 metres.
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