A number of prominent personalities including X Factor stars Dermot O’Leary, Olly Murs and Rylan Clark were among those to pay tribute to former One Direction singer Liam Payne after he was found dead at 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary posted that it was ‘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.’
Singer-songwriter Charlie Puth, a co-writer on Payne’s 2017 song Bedroom Floor, took to Instagram Stories with multiple posts paying memorial to his late colleague.
‘I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me,’ Puth said. ‘He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone….’
He posted a clip of himself with Payne, writing, ‘I’m so upset right now, may he rest in peace’ while another clip read, ‘I am so sorry.’
Singer Olly Murs, who starred on The X Factor a year before One Direction, posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram, saying he was ‘lost for words.’
A number of prominent personalities including Paris Hilton were among those to pay memorial to former One Direction singer Liam Payne after he was found dead at 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. Payne was pictured at an event in LA on March 24, 2022
X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary posted that it was ‘the worst news’, recalling the first time he met Liam when he auditioned for the show
‘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 days and the tour we shared together,’ Olly wrote.
‘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 x am thinking of them! RIP Liam.’
X Factor’s Rylan Clark also tweeted, telling fans: ‘Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young. RIP Liam x’
Harry Styles ‘mother Anne Twist shared her grief, posting a broken heart emoji over a black screen, with the caption: ‘Just a boy…’ alongside another broken heart.
The Irish musical duo Jedward, alums of The X Factor like Payne, posted the message: ‘Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One direction Family RIP @LiamPayne.’
Marvin Humes, whose band JLS starred on The X Factor a year before One Direction, shared a photo of his friend as he told fans how ‘We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother.’
‘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.’
Singer Olly Murs, who starred on The X Factor a year before One Direction, posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram, saying he was ‘lost for words’
X Factor’s Rylan Clark also tweeted, telling fans: ‘Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young. RIP Liam x’
Marvin Humes, whose band JLS starred on The X Factor a year before 1D, shared a photo of his friend as he told fans how ‘We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother’
X Factor stars Jedward were among the first stars to pay tribute to the late singer
Ant Middleton held back tears as he shared some of his most memorable moments with the singer during a live interview before sharing an Instagram post
Harry Styles ‘mother Anne Twist shared her grief, posting a broken heart emoji over a black screen, with the caption: ‘Just a boy…’ alongside another broken heart
Singer-songwriter Charlie Puth , a co-writer on Payne’s 2017 song Bedroom Floor, took to Instagram Stories with multiple posts paying memorial to his late colleague
He posted a clip of himself with Payne, writing, ‘I’m so upset right now, may he rest in peace’ while another clip read, ‘I am so sorry’
Ant Middleton held back tears as he shared some of his most memorable moments with the singer during a live interview on The Morning Show in Australia, shortly after the news broke.
The SAS star said Liam, who joined him to film the documentary Ant Middleton & Liam Payne: Straight Talking in 2019, was like a little brother to him.
‘We bonded. He was my bro. He was like a younger brother to me. He confided in me,’ an emotional Ant said as he held back tears before he shared a loving tribute on Instaram to ‘a talented, positive man with a good heart.’
‘So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing,’ Paris Hilton said. ‘Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.
Like Liam, Union J band member Josh Cuthbert also shot to fame on The X Factor, and he remembers Liam for being ‘a great guy’.
He commented on Dermot O’Leary’s post: ‘Just so awful mate. Cant believe it [broken-hearted emoji] I met him when we were on xfactor in 2012. Always a great guy.
‘I’ve said this before and I’m Not pointing any fingers or speculating here but all I’ll say is social media can be sooo dangerous. Anyone and everyone can say anything they want with no consequence or a second thought of the damage and pain they may cause a person. Why we can’t all be kinder to one another is so frustrating. The pain I have for Liams family (sic)’
Radio 1 DJ Greg James opened his Tuesday morning Breakfast Show by playing 1D’s first single What Makes You Beautiful, and called Liam ‘a funny and sweet man’.
English model and singer-songwriter Karen Elson said, ‘Rest in Peace Liam. I really wish this wasn’t true. My heart is with your family and your especially son.’
DJ Fat Tony said: ‘This is such tragic. News god bless you my friend R I P @liampayne I’m truly devastated I can’t believe you have gone what a loss you amazing man x.’
The Wanted star Max George said he was ‘devastated’ upon learning the news of Payne’s passing.
‘Liam was an unbelievably supportive during one of the most difficult times in my life. I will never forget that,’ George said.
‘My thoughts are with his family, friends and fans at this horrendous time. Rest in peace Liam.’
Paris Hilton and Zedd were among the celebrities to post memorials to Payne amid the tragic news
German music producer and DJ Zedd wrote, ‘RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking …’
He added: ‘Life is short and fragile… You never know what people are going through.
‘We live in times where being rude, divisive and mean is normal; sometimes even celebrated. It doesn’t have to be this way. We should do our best to be kind, supportive and mindful.’
Ty Dolla $ign posted a picture of Payne to Instagram Stories with the caption: ‘Just talked to you 2 days ago my guy. Ima miss u fr fr sucio.’
The Wanted star Max George said he was ‘devastated’ upon learning the news of Payne’s passing
X Factor singer Jake Quickended wrote that he had grown up with Liam’s songs
German music producer and DJ Zedd wrote, ‘RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking …’
DJ Fat Tony said: ‘This is such tragic. News god bless you my friend R I P @liampayne I’m truly devastated I can’t believe you have gone what a loss you amazing man x’
Emblem3 band member Wesley Stromberg wrote, ‘I cannot believe the news about @LiamPayne … such a cool talented dude. Absolutely heartbreaking. Rest in Paradise’
British television presenter Kirstie Allsopp said, ‘Liam Payne was a really generous lad, bizarrely he introduced my other half to Truffle Mustard, now a firm favourite, and has always been held in high regard in our family. His death is a terrible loss for his family & friends and his many, many, fans. Bless you Liam.’
Emblem3 band member Wesley Stromberg wrote, ‘I cannot believe the news about @LiamPayne … such a cool talented dude. Absolutely heartbreaking. Rest in Paradise.’
Musician Juicy J said, R.I.P. Liam Payne wow I can’t believe it prayers up for the family.’
Brazilian singer-actress Maisa Silva said in a translated statement from Portuguese, ‘My condolences to everyone who, like me, grew up listening to 1D and who cultivated so many good moments with their music. It’s so sad that all of this 🙁 doesn’t seem real.’
Singer Corbyn Besson said, ‘Damn this liam payne news got me speechless… looked up to 1D so much during the wdw days. you really never know when it’s your time to go’ and implored his fans to ‘remind your friends/family that you love them today and every day.’
Public Enemy rapper Flavor Flav said on X/Twitter, ‘RIP to Liam Payne,,, much too young.’
Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L. James wrote, ‘I am heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Liam Payne. I can barely believe it. Sincere condolences to his family.’ Payne had contributed to the 2018 soundtrack for the Fifty Shades of Freed in a duet with Rita Ora titled For You (Fifty Shades Freed).
Singer Mabel posted an image of herself opposite the late entertainer on her Instagram Stories account. She said: ‘Liam & for so many years I always knew I could call you for support and big brotherly advice but now you’re gone… my thoughts and prayers are with Liam’s family and friends during this time you’ll be so missed.’
Harry Styles’ mother, Anne Twist posted on Instagram Stories a brokenhearted emoji that read, ‘Just a boy’
Ty Dolla $ign posted a picture of Payne to Instagram Stories with the caption: ‘Just talked to you 2 days ago my guy. Ima miss u fr fr sucio.’
British television presenter Kirstie Allsopp said ‘His death is a terrible loss for his family & friends and his many, many, fans. Bless you Liam.’
Musician Juicy J said, ‘R.I.P. Liam Payne wow I can’t believe it prayers up for the family’
Brazilian singer-actress Maisa Silva said in a translated statement from Portuguese, ‘My condolences to everyone who, like me, grew up listening to 1D and who cultivated so many good moments with their music’
Public Enemy rapper Flavor Flav said on X/Twitter, ‘RIP to Liam Payne,,, much too young’
Singer Corbyn Besson said, ‘Damn this liam payne news got me speechless… looked up to 1D so much during the wdw days. you really never know when it’s your time to go’
Fifty Shades of Grey author E.L. James wrote, ‘I am heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Liam Payne. I can barely believe it. Sincere condolences to his family’
Boyzone singer Mikey Graham expressed his sympathy for Payne’s passing and said the tragedy should send a serious message to the music industry
Boyzone singer Mikey Graham expressed his sympathy for Payne’s passing and said the tragedy should send a serious message to the music industry.
‘Rip Liam Payne. Such tragic news,’ Graham said. ‘I think it would be a wise move for record companies to have psychologists on their books from now on in his memory as a duty of care for the vulnerability of their young talent.
‘Fame can be very damaging especially in today’s world. Lots of money. Nobody to help. Lots of yes people. Nobody honest.’
Spotify was one of a number of musical conglomerates to pay tribute to Payne.
‘We are deeply saddened by the news of Liam Payne’s passing,’ the music streaming service said. ‘Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the many fans who loved and supported him.’
A statement from iHeartRadio read, ‘We are extremely shocked and heartbroken to hear this news. Sending our love to his family, friends and fans around the world.’
A tweet from MTV read: ‘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.’
Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighborhood of Argentina’s capital, resulting in ‘extremely serious injuries.’
Singer Mabel posted an image of herself opposite the late entertainer on her Instagram Stories account
Spotify was one of a number of powerful music companies to pay tribute to Payne
The company iHeartRadio said it was ‘extremely shocked and heartbroken’ by the sad news
A tweet from MTV read: ‘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’
Medics confirmed his death on the spot, the statement said. Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said in a statement to The Associated Press that Payne ‘had thrown himself from the balcony of his room.’
Arriving police heard a thud and found Payne’s body in the hotel courtyard, Policicchio said.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentina´s Todo Noticias TV channel that authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting an autopsy.
He declined to answer further questions about the incident, including whether Payne jumped from the balcony or fell by accident.
Argentine media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.
Payne was one of five band members of One Direction, which formed in 2010 when they each auditioned for the British singing competition series The X Factor.
After each singer failed to make it through the competition as solo acts, Simon Cowell and his fellow judges combined Payne, Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson into what would become one of the most successful boy bands.
Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighborhood of Argentina’s capital, resulting in ‘extremely serious injuries.’ Pictured 2018
Payne posed for photographers upon arriving at the premiere of the film All of Those Voices in London on March 16, 2023
One Direction’s Liam Payne, second from right, poses for a photo with fellow band members Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London, September 6, 2011
He said police were dispatched to the hotel in response to an emergency call about an ‘aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.’
The band became known for their pop sound and romantic hits like What Makes You Beautiful. They had six Top 10 hits on the Billboard charts by the time they disbanded in 2016. They had a loyal fan base, many of whom were teen girls, who became known as ‘Directioners.’
Payne had a seven-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, with his former girlfriend, the musician Cheryl who was known as Cheryl Cole when she performed with Girls Aloud. She was an The X Factor judge during One Direction’s season.
He is also survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.