Olly Murs leads tributes for One Direction star Liam Payne as fans hold vigil at Argentina hotel

Celebrity friends and fans of the singer have also been sharing an outpouring of tributes for Liam, who found immediate fame in 2010 on Simon Cowell's X Factor show

Former One Direction star turned solo artist Liam Payne has been confirmed dead after a fall in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The musician was found dead after falling from the third floor of a hotel, said local emergency services.

"Liam James Payne, composer and guitarist, former member of the band One Direction, died today after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Palermo,” Buenos Aires police said in a statement.

Read more: Former One Direction singer Liam Payne has died aged 31

Read more: Liam Payne opens up about Cheryl’s traumatic birth and their breakup for first time

Authorities say they will conduct an autopsy and investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Fans of the 31-year-old star have been gathering at the site of the hotel to mourn the loss, singing songs from Liam's years with One Direction as well as his solo work.

Placing flowers and candles, large crowds have remained in the hours following his passing to share their grief.

Celebrity friends and fans of the singer have also been sharing an outpouring of tributes for Liam, who found immediate fame in 2010 on Simon Cowell's X Factor show, via social media.

Liam was not just an international superstar but also a father, sharing a son named Bear with singer and TV personality Cheryl Tweedy.

Liam was one of five members of One Direction, along with Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles, and the band went on a hiatus in 2015.

Singer Olly Murs, who starred on The X Factor a year before One Direction, said he was "lost for words" at the news of his passing.

He said: "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."

" 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, I am thinking of them."

Dermot O'Leary, who hosted The X Factor when Liam appeared, on the show, said: "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."

Harry Styles' mother Anne posted a broken-hearted emoji on Instagram, captioning it "just a boy."

John and Edward Grimes - Jedward - who also appeared on the X Factor also paid tribute in a series of tweets.

"Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear, and all the One direction Family RIP," they said.

US singer Charlie Puth, a co-writer on Payne’s 2017 song Bedroom Floor, also aired his shock and grief over Liam's sudden death.

"Liam was always so kind to me,’ he posted on Instagram. "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."

Paris Hilton also said it was "so upsetting" to hear of his death.

In a tweet on X, the X Factor account said: "We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne."

"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."

Join RSVP Live's WhatsApp community to get celebrity news and our top stories