Liam Payne dies latest: Cheryl posts about Liam Payne's death, saying son Bear 'has to face reality of never seeing father again' (2024)

Key points
  • Liam Payne, 31, dies at Buenos Aires hotel - what we know
  • Cheryl criticises media in first post about Payne's death
  • 'I feel empty' - Simon Cowell posts emotional message
  • 'You are my everything' - Payne's girlfriend shares tribute
  • Statements from his One Direction bandmates
  • Images show 'total disorder' in hotel room
  • Recording of 911 call released
  • Watch: Payne's X Factor audition
  • Listen to the Daily above and tap hereto subscribe wherever you enjoy podcasts

00:59:31

Goodbye

We're pausing our live coverage for today.

Here are the main updates from the last 24 hours:

  • Liam Payne's father arrived in Buenos Aires today and visited the morgue where his son's body has been since his death on Wednesday;
  • Niall Horan paid tribute to Payne, the final member of One Direction to do so. He described his former bandmate as having an "energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious";
  • Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, and his former partner, Cheryl, both also released statements, with the latter criticising media coverage of Payne's death;
  • Simon Cowell also shared a tribute for Payne, revealing he met with the singer last year to reminisce "about all the fun times we had together";
  • Tributes also came in from Sharon Osbourne, Ed Sheeran, David Beckham, and Robbie Williams, who called out internet trolls and said celebrities "need compassion";
  • One Direction fans have organised vigils to be held across the UK this weekend.

23:23:01

Westlife say 'thoughts go out' to rest of One Direction

90s boyband Westlife have paid tribute to Liam Payne in a heartfelt post to social media.

"We would like to send all our love and wishes to Liam Payne and his heartbroken family at this time," the band wrote.

"Also our thoughts go out to all the One Direction lads at this very sad time. Love Kian Mark Nicky Shane X," their statement said.

22:50:01

Payne's father identifies body and visits hotel where son died

Liam Payne's father Geoff Payne has visited the Buenos Aires morgue to identify his son's body, our US correspondent Martha Kelner reports.

He has also been to the local prosecutor's office, and has visited the hotel where the 31-year-old singer died to speak to police and collect his belongings, she says.

Argentine authorities said Mr Payne went to the prosecutor's office to organise the repatriation of the One Direction star's body.

During his visit to the hotel, he stopped to read tributes left for his son by grieving fans outside.

A day after his death, Payne's family released a statement, saying they were "heartbroken" and that he would live "forever in our hearts".

22:22:34

Molly-Mae Hague 'utterly shocked' by Payne's death

Reality TV star and influencer Molly-Mae Hague has said she is "utterly shocked" by the death of "kind" Liam Payne.

Sharing a black and white photo of herself with the singer, Hague said she hadn't been able to stop thinking about "the most heartbreaking news".

"It has utterly shocked me. I met Liam a few times and he was such a genuine and kind person, always making the effort to talk to me and ask how I was," she added.

"I just can't stop thinking about his family, his son, girlfriend and friends. My heart aches for them. Rest in peace Liam."

21:20:01

In pictures: Vigil set up in star's home city

People have placed flowers and letters outside a church in Wolverhampton this evening in memory of Liam Payne.

The One Direction singer, who died at his hotel in Argentina on Wednesday, was born in the city.

A vigil has been set up outside St Peter's Collegiate Church, which has links to Payne's old high school, St Peter's Collegiate Academy.

The school said in a statement that it was "deeply saddened" to hear of his death, adding that the singer was "well-liked" by his peers and teachers.

21:00:01

Liam Payne's One Direction bandmates lead tributes

We've now had tributes from all the members of One Direction individually, after the band released a joint statement last night.

In the statement, the stars said they were "completely devastated" and wanted time to "grieve and process the loss of our brother".

Here's what they said in their personal statements...

Harry Styles

The As It Was singer said he would "always" miss his "lovely friend".

"His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it," he said.

Styles continued: "He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life."

Zayn Malik

"Liam I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives," Malik wrote on Instagram.

He said he "never got to thank" his friend for "supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life".

"When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid, you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved," he said.

Malik and Payne had famously clashed at times, and the Pillowtalk singer referenced this in his statement but said he "secretly respected" his bandmate when they "butted heads".

Niall Horan

Horan had seen Payne only a few days before his death.

The Irish singer had been performing in Argentina and Payne had gone along to support him at the shows.

"I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently," he said.

"I sadly didn't know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking."

He said he was "absolutely devastated" by Payne's death.

Louis Tomlinson

The star paid tribute to Payne as the "most vital part of One Direction".

He made a heartbreaking mention of Payne's seven-year-old son Bear, saying that if the young boy ever needed him "I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was".

"I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you," he said.

20:40:01

In pictures: Mourners gather outside Buenos Aires hotel

People have been gathering outside the hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where Liam Payne died.

Fans have left flowers, pictures, and notes at the hotel's entrance.

Some hugged each other and cried as they remembered the One Direction star.

20:15:01

One Direction fans plan memorials

One Direction fans are planning vigils across the UK to remember Liam Payne this weekend.

Details of several vigils across the UK have been circulating on social media to commemorate the 31-year-old singer.

In Wolverhampton, where he was born, fans will gather on Sunday to grieve.

Another event is being held at Chamberlain Square in Birmingham on the same day, with organisers asking fans to bring artificial candles and flowers.

Details of similar gatherings are reportedly planned in London, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Manchester.

19:54:05

Cheryl criticises media in first post about Payne's death

Liam Payne's former partner Cheryl has posted about his death for the first time, criticising media coverage and saying their son has to "face the reality of never seeing his father again".

Payne and the Girls Aloud singer were in a relationship from 2016 and 2018, and share a seven-year-old son named Bear.

"What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days," Cheryl says on Instagram.

"It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future."

She describes his death as an "earth-shattering event" and says she is trying to work through her grief at an "indescribably painful time".

"I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being," she adds.

"Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our seven-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.

"I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces.

"Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.

"Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last."

19:45:01

Louis Walsh declines to comment on Payne's 'awful' death

Louis Walsh has described the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne as "awful".

Walsh was on the judging panel of the X Factor when Payne auditioned for the show in 2008.

Although he didn't make it through to the live shows, the then-teenager returned in 2010 and became part of One Direction.

Walsh told the Irish Mirror: "No, (I'm) saying nothing. It's awful."

Another former X Factor judge, Sharon Osbourne, paid tribute to Payne this morning, commenting on the lack of support for young stars (see 7.43 post).

Simon Cowell, who signed One Direction to his label after their time on the show, said he was "devastated" and "heartbroken" in a statement shared on Instagram this evening (see 17.42 post).

Liam Payne dies latest: Cheryl posts about Liam Payne's death, saying son Bear 'has to face reality of never seeing father again' (2024)

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