Tributes for former One Direction member, the late Liam Payne, continue with messaged from his sister Ruth Gibbins and ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer.
Taking to her Instagram account, Gibbins shared a heartbreaking statement to both fans and to her younger brother, who died after falling from the balcony of his hotel on October 16 at age 31.
“I don’t believe this is happening,” she began the statement, shared on October 19, along with photos of their family.
Watch the video above.
READ MORE: Singer’s sad announcement after ‘heartbreaking loss’
“Liam is my best friend, no one could ever make me laugh as much as him, doing his impressions always had me creasing and he loved seeing how much of a laugh he could get,” the 33-year-old shared of her late brother’s nature.
She recalled getting her driver’s license specifically so that she could drive out to meet him during his X Factor days, with the late singer often sharing unreleased songs with his sister as they spent quality time together during the early days of the band.
She spoke of his bond with his former bandmates, writing, ”Liam loved 1D, he loved his brothers and we talked about it so much”.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
‘Come back in two years’: Five words made Liam Payne a star
The pair would often chat on the phone, with Gibbins saying Payne “knew he could call me anytime and I would pick up or I would always fetch him if he needed to just come home.”
She recalled their chats would always see them “laughing at his ideas and next adventure, talking through his plans and working through his issues.”
“Liam was born with music in his veins, it was clear from a very young age he just had that quality that would make him a star,” she recalled. “I will never tire of the look he gives when showing new songs, ‘Listen loud’ he’d say and just grin with pride of his work.”
READ MORE: As Mel Gibson leaned in for a kiss, Noni Hazlehurst rushed off stage to vomit
She added that she had a note in her phone titled, “Things to tell Liam”, which she compiled into a message directed to him on the next slide.
”Liam, My brain is struggling to catch up with what’s happening and I don’t understand where you’ve gone. I just want to drive to your house and walk in to music blasting and find you sat there writing a song.”
She praised his “ability to make me laugh”, his talent, his kindness and ”how proud I am to call you my brother and my best friend”
“I don’t feel this world was good enough or kind enough to you, and quite often over the last few years, you’ve had to really try hard to overcome all that was being aimed at you,” she said.
What the former members of One Direction are up to now
“You just wanted to be loved and to make people happy with your music,” she said.
“You never believed you were good enough, I hope you can now see this outpouring of love that you never received in your time.”
She thanked her brother for changing her life and incredible memories, promising to keep his memory alive for his seven-year-old son Bear, whom he shares with ex-partner Cheryl. Payne is also survived by his parents Geoff and Karen Payne and older sister Nicola Payne, in addition to Gibbins and Bear.
READ MORE: Ezra needed a new liver. It arrived in the unlikeliest way
She signed off the note with, “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you. Love you, oh how my heart misses you.”
“One last time I need you to know, I’m here if you need anything, I’d drive to the end of the universe to bring you back.”
Also sharing a tribute is Payne’s ex-girlfriend Danielle Peazer, who dated him during the peak of his fame.
READ MORE: ‘Not really talked about’: Surprising reality of earning a Michelin Star
“Over the last few days, I’ve been trying to process the news of Liam’s death,” she shared on her Instagram Story on October 19, thanking those who reached out to her.
“I’m so grateful and it’s helped more than you know,” she told them.
“In time I will share more, but right now, I don’t feel mentally strong enough to face the reality of what’s happened.”
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
“Like all of us, I too am grieving and need to take some time to do that privately,” she continued.
“It’s a heartbreaking time, which has already been made so much more challenging due to receiving negative and misinformed comments as well as preconceived judgment from those who don’t personally know me, Liam or anything about our relationship over the last 14 years.”
“I will be back soon when I’m ready, but until then, please take care of yourselves and each other,” she concluded.
Peazer, a dancer, dated the One Direction member between 2010 and 2013, after their fame exploded.
The 36-year-old is now married to radio presenter Sonny Jay, with whom she shares her newborn daughter Mia.
If you, or someone you know would like to talk to someone confidentially about addiction, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit Reach Out.
If you or someone you know needs immediate or mental health-related support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000.
