Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates ‘completely devastated’ by his sudden death

LIAM PAYNE’S ONE Direction bandmates have said they are “completely devastated” by the news of his death, adding: “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.”

The 31-year-old died yesterday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

The local prosecution office is leading an investigation into his death.

This evening, a statement signed by Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan said: “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing.

“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. We love you Liam.

Tomlinson said in a separate statement that Payne was “the most vital part of One Direction” and added that he would be telling his young son Bear “stories of how amazing his dad was”.

“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” he wrote. 

The music star said he was “instantly amazed” by Payne’s voice when they met and added that he had “got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for”.

“Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band,” he said.

“And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction.”

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In a post to his social media, Malik said he never got to thank Payne “for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.

He described Payne as “headstrong” and “opinionated” and said he respected him though they “butted heads because of this”.

“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,” he said.

“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, 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 are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro.”

Earlier today, in a statement issued by his spokeswoman, Payne’s family said they were “heartbroken” by his death.

“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.”

Tributes from fans and people in the music industry have poured in from around the world since the news was shared. 

Fans were photographed lighting candles and leaving flowers at the side of the road in an impromptu vigil as they paid tribute to the music star.

Former Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall said on her Instagram story that Payne was the “first friend I made in this industry” while JLS member Marvin Humes said on his Kiss FM show that he had “instantly clicked” with Payne when they first met in 2008, adding that the band had taken him under their wing on The X Factor.

A post from the official X Factor account on X described Payne as “immensely talented”, while the show’s former host Dermot O’Leary told ITV’s This Morning show that the singer was “kind of both wise and sort of a young soul at exactly the same time”.

Downing Street offered Keir Starmer’s condolences to Payne’s family and friends.

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The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “The Prime Minister’s sincere condolences are with Liam’s family and friends at this time.

“One Direction were one of the biggest bands in history and their music had a huge impact on many millions of fans around the world.”

Former Love Island host Laura Whitmore described the singer as “always so lovely and giving of his time” when she had met him over the years.

She recalled interviewing him at the Brit Awards one year when she could she see he was “very loved up with someone backstage”.

“Sometimes we forget people in the public eye are real people with real feelings,” she added.

“He was a pop star but more importantly someone’s son, father – loved by so many who are left heartbroken. My thoughts with his loved ones. I can’t believe it, but also I can. Which is devastating.”

Singer Beverley Knight said she had followed the success of her fellow Wolverhampton native and felt “immense pride that a young lad from my town had become a worldwide star, a member of one of the best-selling boybands of all time”.

US singer Charlie Puth, a co-writer on Payne’s 2017 song Bedroom Floor, said he was in “shock” after Payne’s 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.”

Actor and musician Damian Lewis, who played on the England squad with Payne for Soccer Aid, described him as a “warm, open, self-deprecating, chatty, lovely man”.

With reporting from Press Association

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