One Direction members say they are “devastated” by the shock death of former bandmate Liam Payne.
In a statement signed by Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles – obtained by the BBC – the remaining members of the boy band said they were “completely devastated” by the news.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” the statement began.
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“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly,” the statement continued.
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
“We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
Niall Horan was the last band member to see Liam Payne alive
Horan has become the last member to pay tribute to Payne in perhaps the most poignant tribute of them all.
Payne had been in Argentina to attend Horan’s show in Buenos Aires just days ago.
Horan told fans he “didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever”.
“I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam,” Horan began in a statement shared on social media.
“It just doesn’t feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
“All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever.
“The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime. I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.
“My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear. That you for everything, Payno. Love you brother. Nialler.”
Harry Styles ‘truly devastated’ by Liam Payne’s shock death
In a message shared 24 hours after the news of Payne’s death broke, Styles wrote on Instagram: ”I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing.”
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” he continued.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.”
He concluded his message, which was shared alongside the “🖤” emoji and a photo of Payne looking out onto the stage, with: “My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.”
Louis Tomlinson makes promise to Liam Payne’s son Bear in heartbreaking solo statement
Tomlinson also took to Instagram to share an emotional message with his 18.4 million followers, writing that he is “beyond devastated” to be sharing the tribute in the first place.
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“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother,” Tomlinson, 32, wrote alongside a photo of the duo hugging on stage.
“Liam was somebody I looked up to every day, such a positive, funny, and kind soul. I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly, as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.”
Tomlinson said Payne – who died yesterday morning aged 31 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony – was “an incredible songwriter with a great sense of melody”.
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“We often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band,” Tomlinson continued.
“And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.”
Tomlinson then went on to thank Payne for “shaping us”, and share a message to Payne if “you’re listening”.
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“I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,” Tomlinson wrote.
“I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life.
“I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be. I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.”
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“I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you,” Tomlinson wrote.
“Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X”.
Zayn Malik shares statement after Liam Payne’s shock death
Malik took to Instagram shortly after Tomlinson shared his statement, writing a lengthy message alongside a photo of himself and Payne asleep in a car together while on the road with One Direction.
“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, who had a notably frosty relationship with Payne while the duo were in One Direction and afterwards, wrote.
“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 yr 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 continued.
“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f–ks about telling people when they were wrong.”
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Malik also addressed the tension between them, saying, “Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, 😂 I always secretly respected you for it.”
“When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
“I was always happy to know, no matter what happene on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.”
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,” Malik continued.
“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated.
“I hope that wherever you are ight now you are good and at peace 🙏🏽 and you know how loved you are. Love you bro.”
Born in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, although Payne did have a solo music career, he’s best known as a former member of One Direction, which was formed on The X Factor in 2010.
Comprised of Payne alongside Styles, Malik, Horan and Tomlinson, One Direction was one of the biggest boybands in the world, touring four times in six years, and releasing five albums before going on hiatus in 2016.
In the years since their split, however, Payne’s relationship with some of his former bandmates was notably tumultuous – though he and Tomlinson were understood to have grown to be “best mates” in recent years.
Payne had been in Argentina to see Horan’s concert at the capital, posting to Snapchat beforehand: “[Payne and partner Kate Cassidy are] going to Argentina. One, because we want to. Two, because we want to. And three, because [Horan]’s playing down there and I think we might just go and say, ‘Hello’.”
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“It’s been a while since me and [Horan] have spoken. We’ve got a lot to talk about and I would like to square up a couple things with the boy,” he continued.
“No bad vibes or nothing like that but we just need to talk.”
It’s unclear whether Payne and Horan were able to talk like he wanted before his shock death two weeks later, but they did pose together backstage for a photo.
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