Liam's Law petition in tribute to Liam Payne passes huge milestone as fans sign up

Fans have started a campaign to introduce legislation that could help musicians receive support while dealing with life in the spotlight following the death of Liam Payne

A petition set up to pressure the music industry to take better care of stars in the wake of Liam Payne's death has crossed another landmark.

The cause, calling for "Liam's Law" to be established, initially aimed to attract 12,000 signatures - but has now surpassed this number and set a much bigger target. Fans of One Direction star Liam - who fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last week - are hoping to encourage the creation of legislation to support those in the arts.

Liam had previously discussed his struggles with sobriety and shared details of his at times fragile mental health - with many fans angered that he died seemingly without support. The petition aims to realise a proposition Liam suggested made to give greater support to support young musicians.

On Wednesday, the petition passed 75,000 signatures and now hopes to attract 150,000 names as a new goal. Set up by a fan, a call to action states: "In 2021 Liam advocated for a support system to be put in place for young artists’ going through the industry. He spoke about his own struggles and the need for there to be care in place to safeguard artists' mental health. Ultimately, I am angry and saddened that the industry has let him down."

Vowing to help make Liam's vision a reality, the fan continued: "The entertainment industry, acclaimed for its glamour and stardom, is equally infamous for the enormous pressure it exerts on the mental health of artists. Resultant issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance misuse and even suicide are alarmingly high. According to research, performers are 2-3 times more likely to suffer from these issues compared to the general population.

"In recent news of Liam Payne's tragic death as many others, the entertainment industry needs to be held accountable and be responsible to the welfare of their artists. We seek to implore lawmakers to create legislation safeguarding the mental health of artists within the industry."

Sharing hopes for a prospective law, the statement went on: "Such a law would necessitate regular mental health check-ups, adequate rest periods, and the presence of mental health professionals on-set, including any ongoing support during their career. It will ensure a healthier, safer, and more conducive working environment for artists to cultivate their talents reducing psychological distress.

"This would also include early interventions to protect and minimise before it's too late. Furthermore, the increasing rate of musicians who die before the age of 35, is concerning. We need to act now!" The petition also notes: "Your signature could be a lifeline for these talented individuals, contributing to a larger movement of mental health awareness and care in industries worldwide."

Liam was just 31 when he passed away, leaving behind his young son Bear, 7, who he shared with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Tweedy. On Wednesday, his devastated girlfriend Kate Cassidy revealed they had been planning to get married before his shock death.

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