Tributes have been pouring in for former One Direction star Liam Payne after his shocking death at the age of 31.
The singer fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, according to local police.
© GettyAnne Twist, the mother of Liam's former bandmate Harry Styles, shared her sadness on social media. Alongside a broken heart emoji, she penned: "Just a boy …"
Meanwhile, The X Factor said Liam will "leave a lasting legacy on the music industry" in a tribute posted on social media. "We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne", a statement 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."
Dermot O'Leary, who hosted The X Factor both times Liam auditioned for the talent programme in 2008 and 2010, recalled the singer as a 14-year-old boy. "The worst news," the This Morning host penned on Instagram.
"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."
© Dymond/Thames/Syco/ShutterstockWaliyha Malik, the sister of Liam's bandmate Zayn, wrote that she was "heartbroken" by the news, and had "no words."
The Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood also shared his sadness. "I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Liam Payne," the musician wrote on X. "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."
Oasis singer, Liam Gallagher, wrote on X: "Life is precious kids and you only get to do it ONCE go easy LG x." When asked if he had seen the news about the One Direction star's death, Liam confirmed that he had, calling it "very sad".
Greg Horan, the brother of Liam's bandmate, Niall, said in a touching statement on Instagram: "You will be forever missed Liam. Words can't describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys. My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers."
Radio 1 DJ Greg James described the news of Liam's passing as a "shock" and "destabilising". In a tribute, he said: "I want to celebrate Liam. I've only interviewed him a couple of times because they (One Direction) were always flying off around the world, we barely got to see them, but when we did it was always so fun. And he loved fun, he was funny, he was sweet."
© Marc PiaseckiActress and wife of Robbie Williams, Ayda Field Williams, said she was in "complete shock and disbelief" over the sad news. Recalling her first meeting with Liam, she penned on social media: "I first met Liam when he was just 17 years old and Rob mentored One Direction on X Factor. Liam was kind, enthusiastic, and very talented. With a big and bright future ahead of him. I can’t quite believe that young boy is gone. Far too soon. Far too young. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his One Direction brothers. RIP, Liam."
Singer Olly Murs, who appeared on The X Factor a year before One Direction, said he was "lost for words" in a post 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," Olly wrote alongside 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."
© @ollymurs/InstagramRita Ora, who collaborated with Liam on the hit single, For You, tweeted a black and white photo of herself and the late star, which was taken in a recording studio. "I’m devastated. He had the kindest soul, I will never forget," she said.
"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."
Fellow Boyband McFly penned: "We're shocked and extremely sad to wake up to the news of Liam Payne's death. Our thoughts and love are with his family and friends at such a difficult time."
Paris Hilton also paid tribute on X, calling the news of Liam's death "so upsetting". "Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones," she wrote. "RIP my friend."
© Jeff SpicerFormer SAS: Who Dares Wins host Ant Middleton sent his "sincere condolences" to Liam's family. The ex-Special Forces soldier said he "formed a brotherhood" with the singer after they filmed a documentary together in 2019.
"He was like a younger brother to me. He would confide in me, I’d go around and see him," he said during a live interview on Australia’s The Morning Show. "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," he continued.
He later wrote on social media: "That was some sunset you captured there mate! A talented positive man with a good heart. I’m glad our friendship flourished and that I was someone you could confine in. Your turn to look over me now bro! Luv ya and will miss you sorely… My sincere condolences to @LiamPayne family during these unimaginable times."
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball said "devastating news, dear Liam Payne," while US singer Charlie Puth, a co-writer on Liam's 2017 song Bedroom Floor, said he was "in shock". "Liam was always so kind to me," he wrote on Instagram Stories. "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."
© @charlieputh/InstagramDan Richards, a guitarist and music director who worked with One Direction, wrote on Instagram: "This all feels so surreal...Still trying to wrap my head around it all. My thoughts go out to Liam's family at this time."
DJ and music producer Zedd, who collaborated with Liam on the 2017 song Get Low, called the singer's death "absolutely heartbreaking".
Fellow boy band the Backstreet Boys also paid tribute, saying their hearts go out to "Liam's family, friends, and Directioners around the world".
A statement on Instagram added: "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."
© @backstreetboys/InstagramThe Wanted star Max George described Liam's death as "absolutely devastating news". The singer met Liam while competing on The X Factor with One Direction.
"Over the last few years I had the pleasure of getting to know him personally and spent some treasured time with him," he said.
"Liam was absolutely wonderful in terms of support when Tom 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," he wrote, referring to his bandmate Tom Parker, who died in March 2022 at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
Rylan Clark, who was also an X Factor contestant, said the news of Liam's death was "extremely sad". "V tragic and so young. RIP Liam," he wrote on X, while Jedward sent their condolences to Cheryl, his son Bear and "all the One Direction family".
© Karwai TangLiam Payne's rise to fame and career timeline
© NBC- 2008: Liam auditions for The X-Factor at 14 years old and is told to come back in two years by Simon Cowell.
- 2010: Liam returns to The X-Factor auditions and is placed in a group with Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles, forming One Direction. The band place third in the competition.
- September 2011: One Direction's debut single, 'What Makes You Beautiful' goes to number one in the UK and around the world. Since then, the band have had 14 top ten hits in the UK and four number-one albums on the Billboard 200.
- December 2011: Liam embarks on his first world tour with One Direction.
- November 2012: One Direction releases their second album, Take Me Home.
- August 2013: The band's documentary film One Direction: This Is Us, hit the big screen, with thousands of fans supporting the film at its premiere in London's Leicester Square.
- November 2013: One Direction releases their third album, Midnight Memories.
- December 2016: One Direction announce their indefinite hiatus.
- May 2017: Liam releases his debut single, 'Strip That Down', in May.
- December 2019: Liam releases his first and only album, LP1, which reaches the top 20 in the UK.
- March 2023: Liam releases a comeback single, 'Teardrops'.
- October 2023: Reports that Liam's second studio album has been put on hold.
Former The Xtra Factor presenter Konnie Huq said she told Liam when Justin Bieber was on the show that he would "be as big as him one day" and while Liam was "self-deprecating", he "absolutely did get to that level".
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I do remember we had Justin Bieber on the show, and Liam sort of had the same hairstyle, bore a striking resemblance, and so we got him to come on the show. He was really embarrassed to meet Justin.
"And then afterwards, I was like 'You will be as big as him one day' and he was actually kind of self-deprecating, it was quite mature of Liam, of the boys, and, you know, he absolutely did get to that level, but it's a lot for young people to take on," she added.
© JAB PromotionsTV presenter Laura Whitmore said Liam's death was "devastating" and shared her condolences with his loved ones. "Sometimes we forget people in the public eye are real people with real feelings. He was a Popstar but more importantly someone's son, father - loved by so many who are left heartbroken," she wrote on Instagram. "My thoughts with his loved ones. I can't believe it, but also I can. Which is devastating."
Radio host Roman Kemp shared a photo of him and Liam alongside the caption: "It was an honour, mate. Sending all my love and light to your family x."
The school Liam attended as a teenager, City of Wolverhampton College, also shared a message on social media. "We were sorry to hear the news about former student Liam Payne and wish to extend our sympathies to his family and friends at this very sad time," the statement read.
Robbie Williams called for greater kindness and empathy Liam' death. The former Take That member, who performed during the 2010 X Factor final with One Direction, posted to Instagram on Friday: "Obviously, my first feelings towards his passing were like everyone else. Shock, sadness and confusion. And to be honest as I write these words that’s where I still am.
"I met the boys on The X Factor and 'mentored' them. I use the word mentored in inverted brackets cos I hardly did anything to be honest. I just hung out with them. They were all cheeky and lovely."
He continued: "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 also said he is at a "loss for words" and encouraged others to "be kind". The singer-songwriter shared his tribute to Instagram alongside a black-and-white photo of Payne smiling.
He wrote: "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."
© GettyFormer chat show host James Corden said the late singer was "such a loving and kind soul". In an Instagram post, he said: "Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heartbreaking.
"He was such a loving and kind soul. I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x."
A number of industry bodies also paid tribute on social media, including streaming platforms Spotify and Amazon Music as well as MTV and the Brit Awards.
Liam rose to fame in 2010 as one-fifth of the X-Factor boyband One Direction, alongside Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles.
Together, they became one of the biggest pop groups in the world with five albums and four world tours before embarking on an indefinite hiatus in 2016 and pursuing solo careers.
Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl share a son Bear, born in 2017, having been in a relationship between 2016 and 2018.
