One Direction mentor Nicole Scherzinger was still texting Liam Payne on day he died

Former Pussycat Dolls star and X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was still in contact with Liam Payne on the day he fell to his death, Andrew Lloyd Webber confirmed

In 2010, Nicole Scherzinger helped created the phenomenon that is One Direction - and kept in touch with Liam Payne until the day he died.

The Pussycat Dolls star, 46, was on the X Factor panel that grouped Liam Payne with other show hopefuls Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik to form the super band. And it's now been revealed she kept in touch with Liam right up until the day he died.

The singer tragically fell to his death in Argentina on October 16, with tributes still flooding in. Speaking of the fateful day, Andrew Lloyd Webber has revealed how Nicole was still texting the star.

Andrew, who composed the music for the Broadway musical Sunset Blvd., which stars Nicole, said: "I suppose something that hasn’t been said, and I suppose I could say, is that of course she mentored Liam, from One Direction."

Speaking to Billboard, he said: "On the Wednesday when he died, she was still texting him that day."

Andrew revealed that even after hearing of Liam's death, she still turned out to perform as Norma Desmond in the Broadway production. He praised: "The fact that she even did the show at all is extraordinary. I mean, she is an amazing, amazing woman. She is without any question one of the finest performers I’ve ever worked with."

In footage from X Factor auditions 14 years ago, Nicole, Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell toyed with the idea of putting the boys together. "This one. Right here," Nicole said pointing at an image of Liam and moving it to be with the other bandmates."If he's the standout, then he could be the leader."

Liam was set to join up with Nicole again as part of a judging team for new Netflix show, Building The Band. The format would mean a new music group would be created, but none of the members would meet each other until the final reveal.

Liam was set to appear alongside Nicole, Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland and Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean, who was to host the series.

The streaming giant revealed: "As former members of The Pussycat Dolls, Destiny’s Child, One Direction, and the Backstreet Boys, respectively, these hitmakers will bring their unparalleled expertise and years of personal experience to the competition."

Filming was already underway and the stars had been spotted in Manchester for rehears. Liam had been seen at Manchester's Sexy Fish with his girlfriend, influencer Kate Cassidy.

It has not yet been confirmed if the show will still go ahead following Liam's death. His One Direction bandmates paid a heartbreaking tribute to him shortly after news broke. In the joint statement, they wrote: "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."

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