Celebrity tributes pour in after former One Direction star Liam Payne dies in Argentina

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

Buenos Aires police said Liam Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighborhood 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 part of the original line-up of the boy band, formed in 2010, alongside Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles. After becoming one of the biggest pop groups in the world with five albums and four world tours, One Direction went on indefinite hiatus in 2016.

Earlier this month, Payne attended bandmate Horan’s Argentinian concert alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.

Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, released his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019 which included the singles Polaroid and Familiar.

He and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl share a son Bear, born in 2017, having been in a high-profile relationship between 2016 and 2018. Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 at the age of 14 singing Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon, with judge Simon Cowell telling him to return to the ITV reality show at an older age.

He impressed the judges in 2010 singing Michael Buble’s Cry Me A River before he was put with four other solo hopefuls at the boot camp stage of the competition – the group which later became One Direction.

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.

Dermot O’Leary has remembered Payne as a 14 year-old-boy auditioning for The X Factor following the singer’s death.

Alongside a photo of O’Leary and Payne standing on stage together, he wrote on Instagram: “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.

Socialite Paris Hilton paid tribute to the former One Direction member in a post on X, calling the singer’s death “so upsetting”.

“Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones,” she wrote,

“RIP my friend.”

DJ and music producer Zedd called the news of Liam Payne’s death “absolutely heartbreaking”.

Former X-Factor contestant Rylan said Payne’s death was “so tragic”, while singing duo Jedward sent their love to his young son Bear and family.

“Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear, and all the One Direction family,” Jedward wrote on X.

A statement on MTV’s official social media accounts said: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of Liam Payne’s tragic passing today. During this difficult time, our hearts remain with his family, loved ones, and fans.”

Former SAS: Who Dares Wins host Ant Middleton said he “formed a brotherhood” with Liam Payne after they filmed a documentary together in 2019.

Middleton said during a live interview on Australia’s The Morning Show that it was “the first time hearing” of Payne’s death at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

“After we filmed Straight Talking With Ant Middleton, he was my first celebrity guest and we formed a brotherhood,” Middleton told hosts Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur.

“He was like a younger brother to me. He would confide in me, I’d go around and see him.

“There were some issues there, but nothing that a young celebrity at his calibre wouldn’t suffer from.

“I’m just shocked at the moment, wow, don’t really know what to say.”

Middleton said Payne “had a lovely aura around him”, describing him as a “lovely guy”.

“He had positive energy around him,” the 44-year-old said.

“He was a visionary, he always thought and dreamed big, and that’s why he got to where he was, and he was loved.

“He was one of those band members that was the glue, I believe, was the glue for One Direction, and it’s a shame to see such a positive individual die so young.”

Middleton added that he was away filming but wanted to “find out what’s happened to my good friend”.

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