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Scott Mills became emotional as he paid tribute to Liam Payne, saying his death has been ‘really hard to take’.
The former One Direction star died after he fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Palmero hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday. He was 31.
The popstar had reportedly arrived in the Latin American country earlier this month to attend his ex bandmate Niall Horan‘s concert.
BBC Radio 2 host Scott, 51, said he ‘can’t bear that this is where Liam’s story has ended’ as he remembered the time he spent with the late singer over the years.
He opened his afternoon show on the station by saying: ‘The tragic news about Liam Payne is a really hard one to take in because I never thought we would have to say goodbye to him so soon.
Scott Mills became emotional as he paid tribute to Liam Payne, saying his death has been ‘really hard to take’
BBC Radio 2 host Scott, 51, said he ‘can’t bear that this is where Liam’s story has ended’ as he remembered the time he spent with the late singer over the years (pictured together in 2015)
The former One Direction star died after he fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Palmero hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday. He was 31
‘I had so much fun with One Direction, as a lot of you will know, over the years and their memories will stay with me for life, and Liam was such a big part of it.’
He joked that at times he felt like the sixth member of One Direction as he was with them so often during their heyday when he presented on BBC Radio 1.
Scott also recalled laughing with Liam when the singer’s father Geoff wanted a selfie with him at the One Direction movie premiere despite having met stars like David Beckham and Mariah Carey beforehand.
The presenter held back tears as he gave a special message to him, saying: ‘So, Geoff, I don’t know if you’re hearing this, but my heart goes out to you today and to the rest of Liam’s family, and, of course, to his little boy.’
He added: ‘I just feel so incredibly sad about all of this. Liam, we had so much fun and you were always the kindest, most caring person to me.
‘Thank you for letting me be part of your ride. I will never forget it. The band were all so lovely always, but Liam was kind of the grown-up one in the group, the wise one. And I can’t bear that this is where Liam’s story has ended.’
The BBC Radio host then dedicated Story Of My Life by One Direction to Liam, his family and his fans.
Liam’s family have said they are ‘heartbroken’ by his death aged 31, adding that the former One Direction star will ‘forever live in our hearts‘.
Scott said: ‘I had so much fun with One Direction, as a lot of you will know, over the years and their memories will stay with me for life, and Liam was such a big part of it’
Scott joked that at times he felt like the sixth member of One Direction as he was with them so often during their heyday when he presented on BBC Radio 1 (pictured together in 2011)
Liam’s family have said they are ‘heartbroken’ by his death aged 31, adding that the former One Direction star will ‘forever live in our hearts’ (pictured in 2023)
A family statement said: ‘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.’
Following reports of his death city ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti in Buenos Aires said Mr Payne had fallen around 40 metres and suffered ‘severe injuries which were incompatible with life.’
He said: ‘The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at Casa Sur.
‘At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead.
‘Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal. There was no possibility of resuscitating him.’
Liam began his pursuit to stardom when he initially auditioned for X Factor in 2008.
At only 14-years-old Liam impressed judges with his own version of Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra – but was later eliminated from the show.
However Liam gave his singing career another go auditioning for the competition again in 2010, where he quickly shot to fame as part of One Direction.
He and his former bandmates Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, were brought together by Simon Cowell and former judge Nicole Scherzinger who saw their potential as a group.
After releasing five albums with one of the biggest boybands of all time, Liam released his first solo album titled LP1 in 2019.
His singles Strip That Down co-written with Ed Sheeran climbed its way to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that same year.
Over the course of his music career, the popstar collaborated with the likes of J Balvin, French Montana, Dixie D’Amelio and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie.
He was previously in a relationship with British pop sensation Cheryl Cole and the pair welcomed their son Bear Grey on March 22, 2017. The parents later split in 2018.
He was previously in a relationship with British pop sensation Cheryl Cole and the pair welcomed their son Bear Grey on March 22, 2017
Following his romance with the Girls Aloud singer, Liam had an on-and-off relationship with ex-fiancée Maya Henry, and the pair called it quits in May, 2022.