HIDDEN Niall Horan has paid tribute to his “amazing friend” and former bandmate Liam Payne, who has died aged 31.
The singer fell from a hotel balcony on Wednesday, days after the One Direction pair reunited for a show in Argentina.
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Niall Horan shared a photo alongside Liam Payne in his tribute today Credit: Instagram
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Liam and Niall reunited for a concert in Buenos AiresCredit: https://www.snapchat.com/add/liampayne?locale=en-GB
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Niall looked heartbroken as he stepped out for the first time since yesterday’s tragic newsCredit: MJ-Pictures.com
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Liam with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy at Niall’s concert in Buenos Aires on October 2 Credit: Snapchat
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Liam and Niall with former bandmates Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson Credit: Reuters
Liam attended one of Niall’s shows on October 2 in Buenos Aires and was filmed dancing before greeting fans.
The pair later shared selfies backstage – with Niall, also 31, grinning widely.
However, yesterday the Irish musician was pictured heartbroken as he stepped out to walk his dog in London, hours after learning of his friend’s death.
He shared the tribute today, posting a throwback picture with Liam from early in their career, alongside a black heart emoji.
It comes as…
Niall wrote: “I am completely devastated by the death of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for his work that was infectious. He was the smartest person in any room and always made everyone feel happy and safe.
“All the laughter we’ve had over the years, sometimes about the simplest things, keeps coming to mind through sadness.
“We got to live our wildest dreams together and I will forever cherish every moment we had. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in life.
“I feel so lucky to have seen him recently. Unfortunately I didn’t know I was saying goodbye forever after I said goodbye and hugged him that night. It’s heartbreaking.
“My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.”
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Fellow former ID stars Harry Styles, 30, Louis Tomlinson, 32, and Zayn Malik, 31, also expressed their grief in equally heartbreaking posts.
Harry shared a picture of dad-of-one Liam alongside a heartfelt statement saying his “greatest joy is making other people happy”.
Louis, meanwhile, said he was “more depressed” after losing his “brother”.
“Liam was someone I looked up to every day, so positive, funny and a good soul,” he said, adding that the tragic star was “the most vital part” of One Direction.
Zayn shared a photo of him and Liam hugging in the backseat of a car during the band’s early days.
He said he “can’t help but selfishly think there were so many more conversations we could have had in our lives.”
The singer, who first left the band in 2016 – months before the remaining members decided to go on an indefinite hiatus – said they often “fell” but had a deep respect for Liam.
DISTURBING BEHAVIOR
A woman who was also staying at the CasaSur Hotel in the Palermo area of the Argentine capital, where Liam died on Wednesday afternoon, said he had displayed “disturbing” behavior shortly before the tragedy.
She said Liam told her: “I was in a boy band – that’s why I’m such a bitch.”
The 28-year-old said she was left “shaken” by what happened, as she saw Liam just moments before he died.
She told the Mail that “there was something a bit desperate” about Liam’s behaviour.
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The singer fell to his death in the courtyard of the CasaSur hotelCredit: Reuters
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This is believed to be the last photo of Liam
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Photo of the police in front of the hotel Credit: AP
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Niall’s heartbreaking tribute to Liam Credit: Instagram
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Liam and Katie were seen dancing and hugging at a fashion show earlier this monthCredit: Snapchat
She met Liam in the hotel foyer on Wednesday afternoon and photographed him at 4.26pm local time (8.26pm UK time).
He claims he was “upset” by an email on his screen and yelled “s**t this mate” before smashing the laptop on the ground.
A 911 call from hotel staff later that afternoon revealed they needed “emergency” police officers to help with a guest who was “behaving erratically.”
Liam was found dead in the inner courtyard of the hotel just after 5pm local time (9pm UK time).
His death was confirmed as soon as the emergency team arrived.
Officers found “what appeared to be narcotics, alcohol, destroyed items and furniture” in his room.
Photos released by Argentine media show white powder, burnt aluminum foil and a broken TV screen in his apartment.
Forensic teams reported that a bottle of whiskey, a lighter and a mobile phone were recovered from the courtyard of the building where Liam’s body was found.
But police are yet to confirm what substances were found in the room and will be testing them soon.
The singer has been open about his struggles with addiction in the past.
Officials said “everything indicates” he was alone when he died and could have been partially or fully unconscious when he fell.
A full toxicology report is still pending and could take weeks to become public.
One Direction statements in full
We are completely devastated by the news of Liam’s death. In time, and when everyone is able, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, whom we loved very much.
We will cherish the memories we shared with him forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans who loved him with us.
We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.
Louis Tomlinson wrote: “His experience of youth, his perfect sound, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.
“Thank you for shaping us Liam.
“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me, I’ll be the uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories about how amazing his dad was.
“I wish I had the chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.”
Zayn Malik said: “Liam, I find myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but selfishly think we have so many more conversations in our lives.
“I never got around to thanking you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
“When I was missing home as a 17-year-old, you would always be there with a positive outlook and an encouraging smile, letting me know that you were my friend and that I was loved.”
He added: “When it comes to music, Liam, you were the most qualified in every way.
“I didn’t know anything in comparison, I was a beginner kid with no experience, and you were already a professional.
“I lost my brother when you left us and I can’t explain what I would give to hug you one last time and say goodbye properly.
“All the memories I have with you I will keep in my heart forever.”
And Harry Styles wrote: “I am truly devastated by Liam’s death.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honor to be with him while he was doing that.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was contagious.
“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 always miss you my dear friend.
“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicole and Ruth, his son Bear and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I do.”
Niall Horan wrote: “I am completely devastated by the death of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for his work that was infectious. He was the smartest person in any room and always made everyone feel happy and safe.
“All the laughter we’ve had over the years, sometimes about the simplest things, keeps coming to mind through sadness.
“We got to live our wildest dreams together and I will forever cherish every moment we had. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in life.
“I feel so lucky to have seen him recently. Unfortunately I didn’t know I was saying goodbye forever after I said goodbye and hugged him that night. It’s heartbreaking.
“My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.”
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White powder and burnt aluminum foil were reportedly found in Liam Payne’s hotel room
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The TV and champagne glasses were photographed and broken Credit: Clarin
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Liam was only 16 years old when he became famous on the X Factor. Credit: Splash
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1D went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands in history and Liam also found success as a solo artist Credit: The Mega Agency
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