- The X Factor is “heartbroken” by Payne’s passing
- Dermot O’Leary, Liam Gallagher and more share tributes
- Fans attend memorials outside Buenos Aires hotel
Talent competition show The X Factor has paid tribute to their One Direction star Liam Payne who died yesterday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
The 31-year-old got his big break on the popular music show back in 2010 alongside his One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.
While the group didn’t win the show (ultimately losing out to singer Matt Cardle), they went on to become one of the biggest boy bands of recent years.
Posting on their social media account, The X Factor said “We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne.
“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.
“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.”
Meanwhile, presenter Dermot O’Leary, who fronted The X Factor at the time of One Direction’s rise to fame, shared his own tribute.
Alongside a black-and-white photograph of himself and Payne on the show, O’Leary started by writing: “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. Dx”
“A really hard one to take in”
Fellow stars and those who knew Payne personally have also shared their own memories of the star.
On social media, BBC Radio presenter Scott Mills said “This is a really hard one to take in.
“Never in a million years would I think we would have to see goodbye to you so soon Liam.
“We had so much fun back then, and I feel so incredibly sad. Sending my love and strength to his family, his friends, and especially his son.”
“Life is precious kids and you only get to do it ONCE go easy LG x” said Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, with singer Olly Murs describing the incident as “devastating.”
“Lost for words”
Saying he’s “lost for words,” Murs took to Instagram to say: “We always had a good laugh when we saw each other, sometimes the catch ups were only short and sweet but when we did it was mostly about how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF days and the tour we shared together.
“Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x am thinking of them! RIP Liam.”
Fans and mourners have gathered outside the Buenos Aires hotel where Payne spent his final hours. Elsewhere, tabloid media site TMZ has received intense backlash after posting images that appeared to show Payne after the fall.
