One Direction singer Liam Payne dies in Argentina aged 31

One Direction singer Liam Payne, 31, has died after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, local officials told Argentinian media.

Buenos Aires police said Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina's capital, resulting in "extremely serious injuries" before medics confirmed his death, in a statement to the Associated Press.

Pictures show fans gathering outside the hotel after police cordoned off the area with forensic investigators seen entering and exiting in white protective suits and blue gloves.

Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend a Niall Horan concert and was seen dancing at his former bandmate's show at the Movistar Arena two weeks ago alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.

One Direction became a global sensation after forming on The X Factor in 2010 featuring Payne and Horan alongside Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles. Their albums and tours shattered records with hits like What Makes You Beautiful and Story of My Life propelling them to superstardom. The band sold over 70 million records worldwide and won numerous awards while cultivating one of the most passionate fanbases in music history.

Before joining One Direction, Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 at just 14 years old. Although he didn't make it through that time, head judge Simon Cowell encouraged him to return, which he did two years later when One Direction was formed.

After One Direction went on hiatus in 2016, Payne launched a solo career. He released his debut solo single, Strip That Down in 2017, which became a hit worldwide.

In addition to singing, Payne was also a talented songwriter. He co-wrote several songs for One Direction and his solo projects, collaborating with other major artists and producers including Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth and Ryan Tedder.

Payne was involved with various charities, including UNICEF, Comic Relief and Trekstock, a charity helping young people with cancer. He was open about his own mental health struggles, particularly at the height of One Direction's fame. On several occasions, he discussed dealing with anxiety and depression and used his platform to raise awareness for mental health issues.

In August last year, Payne postponed his scheduled tour of South America after suffering from a "serious kidney infection".

He said the infection was something "I wouldn't wish on anyone" and he had been instructed by doctors to "rest and recover".

Later last year he was banned from driving in the UK after admitting a speeding offence.

The singer was reportedly travelling at 43mph in a 30mph zone and was banned from driving for six months, as well as paying a fine, in October 2023.

In August, Payne was announced as a judge on a new Netflix show alongside former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland and The Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger.

The stars were to judge attempts to create a band, looking at the contestants’ chemistry as they formed groupings in the musical competition series.

Payne was born on 29 August 1993, in Wolverhampton. He is survived by his seven-year-old son, Bear, who he shares with his ex-partner, Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole.