Dermot O'Leary leads tributes to Liam Payne after star found dead

Dermot O'Leary has led the tributes to his friend Liam Payne following the former One Direction star's death. 

The heartbroken broadcaster wrote: 'He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.' 

Liam was found dead yesterday aged 31 after reportedly falling from his room at the CasaSur Palmero Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

Dermot wrote: '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. 

 'Sending love and prayers to his family.'

American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth joined in, saying he is 'in shock right now'. 

Puth, 32, flooded his Instagram with posts in memory of Liam as he said: 'I can not believe he is gone.' 

Alongside a throwback picture of the two of them together, The One Call Away singer wrote: 'I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.

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'I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry...'

Emergency services are believed to be present outside the hotel Liam was staying, where a red tent has been erected at the scene. 

Investigations into his death are ongoing. 

Fellow former X Factor contestants Jedward sent their condolences to his friends and family. 

The Irish duo wrote: 'Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.' 

German DJ Anton Zaslavski worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low.

The producer wrote on X: 'RIP Liam… I can't believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…'

Boyzone member Mikey Graham said it was 'such tragic news'. 

While Dragons' Den star Stephen Bartlett was left in disbelief at the news and said it was 'absolutely heartbreaking'. 

American media personality Paris Hilton said: 'So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.' 

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TV star Martin Lewis said it felt like a 'gut punch'. He wrote: 'Shocking and tragic. Rip. I don't know him, but this felt like a gut punch reading this about such a young man. Thoughts with his loved ones.' 

While American rapper and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Flavor Falv simply wrote: 'RIP to Liam Payne... much too young.'   

Liam was in Argentina to see his friend and former bandmate Niall Horan in concert having told fans he 'would like to square up a couple of things' with him.

Just days before his death a heartbreaking video showed him singing and dancing at Niall's gig. 

He seemed to be in high spirits as he wrapped his arm around girlfriend Kate Cassidy's shoulder and tenderly kissed her on the head. 

He waves his arm from side to side and sings along as Kate lovingly rests her head on his shoulder. 

Earlier this month Liam announced he and Kate were flying to Argentina 'One, because we want to. Two, because we want to. And three, because Niall Horan's playing down there and I think we might just go and say 'hello'.'

He admitted: 'It's been a while since me and Niall have spoken. We've got a lot to talk about and I would like to square up a couple things with the boy. No bad vibes or nothing like that but we just need to talk.'

He took to Snapchat stories and captioned one snap with Niall: 'Reunited.' 

During the concert, Liam also shared several videos with his followers as he partied in a box with his girlfriend Kate, 25.

He excitedly captioned one picture with: 'We're here (smiley face emoji)'.

The former One Direction star also showed his support for his pal as he shared several videos and snaps of him performing on stage to thousands of fans.

He captioned them with: 'So happy I got to see Niall in concert (love heart emoji).'

Later, after Niall took to the stage, the singer jammed out to the musician's solo performance of One Direction's 2014 hit Stockholm Syndrome.

City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti last night said Mr Payne had fallen around 40 metres and suffered 'severe injuries which were incompatible with life.'

He said: 'The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at Casa Sur.

'At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead.

'Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal. There was no possibility of resuscitating him.'

There has been an outpouring of tributes online, with fellow former X Factor contestants Jedward writing: 'RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to his friends and family.'

They added: ' Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear, and all the One Direction family.'

Paris Hilton wrote: 'So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family and loves ones. RIP my friend.

Stephen Bartlett penned: 'I cannot believe what I'm reading about Liam Payne. Absolutely heartbreaking.'

MTV released the following tribute: 'We're deeply saddened to learn of Liam Payne's tragic passing today. During this difficult time, our hearts remain with his family, loved one, and fans.'