Zayn Malik's touching tribute to Liam Payne in tragic star's home city amid tour

Liam Payne died last month after falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Zayn Malik has paid tribute to his friend during his Stairway To The Sky tour

Zayn Malik last night has paid an emotional tribute to his late One Direction bandmate Liam Payne during a concert in Payne's home city.

Malik, 31, told the crowd at The Halls venue in the University of Wolverhampton: "I’ve been doing something, at the end of the show, every night, and it’s been dedicated to my brother Liam Payne. Rest in peace. I hope you’re seeing this, we’re in your hometown tonight, Wolverhampton, this is for you, Liam."

Footage posted on social media show Malik, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, become emotional as he paid his respects to his pal at the end of the performance, part of his Stairway To The Sky tour. A heartfelt message displayed on a blue screen read: "Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro" and was accompanied by a pink heart.

Despite this touching tribute, Malik has not directly spoken about Payne, who tragically passed away last month in Argentina, during the tour. Dad-of-one Malik had previously rescheduled the original opening dates of his tour in Edinburgh due to Payne’s funeral, which was also attended by their fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan.

Malik left One Direction in 2015 before the group went on indefinite hiatus in 2016, with all members pursuing solo careers. Following Payne's death, Malik expressed regret that he "never got to thank" his bandmate for supporting him through some of the "most difficult" times in his life.

"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 added in a statement shared to Instagram. "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."

Malik previously postponed the US leg of his Stairway To The Sky tour over the "heartbreaking loss" of Payne. An investigation has been launched into Payne’s death by Argentinian prosecutors and three people have been charged in connection with the incident. Payne died on October 16 of multiple traumas and "internal and external haemorrhage" after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, a post-mortem examination report said.

Malik will next perform at Manchester on Saturday, before heading to Leeds and Newcastle.