Mourners gather at vigils around the world to honour Liam Payne after One Direction star died in fall from hotel balcony

THOUSANDS of heartbroken fans have gathered at emotional vigils around the world today in memory of former One Direction star Liam Payne.

The singer, 31, plunged 45 feet from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday.

More than 100 fans showed their support as balloons were releasedCredit: PA

Liam Payne died after reportedly falling from a balcony in ArgentinaCredit: Getty

People attending the heartbreaking vigil in Hyde Park broke down in tears over the singer’s tragic deathCredit: AP

Supporters were seen hugging each other at a memorial in Madrid, Spain todayCredit: AFP

Flowers, letters and drawings were laid in Hyde Park this afternoon as hundreds of emotional One Direction fans gathered to pay their respects at the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens.

The heartbreaking event, which started at 2pm, was organised by loyal supporters “in memory of Liam” to “honour his shining spirit and unforgettable impact”.

One person said the crowds were “growing by the minute” and “fans will be waiting hours to lay down their tributes”.

1D fan Tess Hayden, from the US, ended her visit to Ireland so she could share her grief with the scores of other mourners.

The 24-year-old, who was on holiday with her brother in Dublin when she heard the news, said: “Well, my older brother and I had been planning a trip to Dublin for a while, and I knew I was gonna try and come to London at some point at the end of the trip, but when I woke up and heard the news, I was like, ‘okay, I’ll just go a day earlier (and) try and figure (it) out.”

Ms Hayden added that it was “very surreal” as a death at 31 is “very sad and devastating, and shocking”.

“It’s a reminder of what a huge part of my childhood and growing up, Liam and One Direction were,” she also said.

Fellow fans, Lauren Anderson and Natasha Bradley, both 23, also attended the London memorial.

Ms Bradley said it was “hard trying to get over it”.

She added: “I’ve literally been feeling so sad like ever since the news came on, I just didn’t believe that.”

Liam Payne fans turn out in Glasgow & Edinburgh as hundreds hold memorials for One Direction star

The supporter also said “Lauren’s been the one that I’ve been speaking to the most about it”, and she wanted to be around people who were “feeling the same because your parents, they don’t really understand how much they really meant to you growing up”.

Lauren, 26, from Kent, told the PA news agency: “It’s more comforting being with other people, because these people get it, whereas back at home, you’re just kind of on your own, and it’s quite tough, you’re stuck in your own thoughts, and here you can talk about it.”

Lauren added that Liam’s passing was hard to accept because it “was completely out of the blue”.

Directioners have also gathered in the singer’s hometown to leave touching tributes.

Bouquets and messages of support have been laid outside St. Peter’s collegiate church in Wolverhampton to remember the former One Direction singer.

Fans have also held tributes in Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and Japan this afternoon.

Glasgow saw thousands come out and pay their respects to Liam, with balloons, candles, flowers and singing.

Meanwhile, makeshift memorials were also set up in the Tuilleries Garden, in Paris, France, today.

Hundreds gathered in front of candles, flowers and heartbreaking pictures of Liam in One Direction.

Supporters in Madrid showed their love for the star too today and demonstrated how powerful his legacy is with their tributes.

Directioners broke down in tears and embraced each other at the memorial at Plaza de Santa Ana this afternoon.

Fans gather and place tributes to the former One Direction singer in the Tuilleries Garden, Paris, France, todayCredit: Reuters

A woman wipes her tears at emotional scenes in FranceCredit: Reuters

Directioners came out in their 1D merch in Liam’s memoryCredit: Reuters

A makeshift memorial in Madrid, Spain todayCredit: AFP

Framed pictures of Liam left as tribute in Utrecht, the Netherlands todayCredit: X/rckstarlwtt

A vigil held in Italy today which saw fans wear redCredit: X/xboobsrita

Notes were written on red love-heart shaped notes in MilanCredit: X/xboobsrita

A memorial was also held in Sydney, AustraliaCredit: X/finelinecasey

Liam Payne vigil in Tokyo, JapanCredit: X/ziri98

Japanese tributes left for the singerCredit: X/ziri98

Photographs shared on social media also revealed hundreds of flowers and framed pictures of Liam left at a tribute in Utrecht, in the Netherlands.

Fans in Munich were also spotted in Munich, Germany, laying drawings and red candles at their own vigil.

Similar scenes were recorded in Milan, Italy, were hoards of One Direction fans wore red to the touching event.

Red balloons were also released into the sky as others wrote heartfelt messages on love-heart shaped notes.

Across the globe in Sydney, Australia, more fans showed their love for the singer with their own memorial.

Elsewhere, in Tokyo, Japan, hundreds of candles were lit after the sun had set last night to honour Liam.

Liam’s family said after his passing: “We are heartbroken.

“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space during this awful time.”

Liam’s loved ones made a desperate dash to South America late on Wednesday night just hours after learning the heartbreaking news.

Footage taken outside the Casa Sur hotel on Friday showed sombre father Geoff Payne bending down to read messages written to his son.

It comes as…

According to a source with the Buenos Aires City police, the pop star’s body has been returned to his family by the prosecutor looking into his untimely death.

They are currently finishing the necessary paperwork to have his body repatriated, the Buenos Aires Herald was told.

Champagne, prescription drugs, white powder and foil wraps were all found in Liam’s trashed hotel room after the fatal fall at around 5pm (9pm UK time).

Fellow hotel guests revealed the star had been acting in a “disturbing” manner shortly before his fall, with Liam admitting to one woman: “I used to be in a boy band – that’s why I’m so f**ked up.”

But Liam’s pals claim the singer was clean just days before his death.

Sources close to the star said he entered Argentina on September 30 with the aim of renewing his expired US visa.

Fans gathered around flowers and balloons at the memorial in Hyde ParkCredit: Getty

Pictures of One Direction have been pinned up next to teddy bears at St Peter’s church in WolverhamptonCredit: SWNS

A hand-made poster which reads ‘RIP Liam Forever Young’Credit: Reuters

A One Direction fan left a balloon with the message “Love you, Goodbye”Credit: Reuters

A picture of Liam with the words ‘Rest in Peace’Credit: Reuters

Tributes being laid in Liam Payne’s honour in Wolverhampton, where the singer was born in 1993Credit: SWNS

Liam fell from his third floor balcony

Witnesses at the hotel said Liam smashed his laptop and had to be carried back to his room in the erratic incident earlier in the day, TMZ reported

Liam’s last instagram post shows a photo with his former bandmates and filmmaker Morgan SpurlockCredit: Rex

Liam reunited with Niall Horan days before his death

They claim that when Liam spoke to US embassy officials, they queried his previous stints in rehab and said he needed to take a drug test to prove he was clean to renew his visa.

A source said: “The embassy said he needed to do a strict investigation including X-rays and a blood test to search for traces of drugs.

“He was completely clean the Thursday before he died.

“On the weekend at his friend’s ranch, he was completely sober.”

An insider said Liam was examined by a US Embassy-certified doctor and that he collected his results, which showed he was clean, on Tuesday.

The source said Liam’s good friend Roger last saw the star for ten minutes on Wednesday, and that he left the hotel at 3.30pm.

The insider said: “Roger told him, ‘I’ve got to run’ and Liam said, ‘Go do your own thing’. That was the last thing they said to each other.”

They added: “Roger is upset – at one point on Wednesday he was phoned by a hotel manager who said they had found Liam asleep on the floor of the elevator.

“They moved him to the sofa in the hotel lobby but the manager said he couldn’t stay there, and that he needed to go to his room.

“In the emergency call, they said they were worried Liam’s life was in danger because he was in a room with a balcony.

“Why didn’t they just let him stay sleeping in the lobby if they were worried about this?”

A pal of Roger told us: “Liam’s behaviour hadn’t been off at all – he was happy.”

It comes as another source claimed Liam “could have been saved” before he fell to his death if an ambulance had been called earlier.

They told the Mail: “If someone had called an ambulance when he collapsed in the hotel lobby instead of taking him back to his room and leaving him in there alone, in a psychotic state, he would still be with us.”

It comes as The Sun on Sunday revealed yesterday how the singer spent his final hours with two women.

The former One Direction star invited Aldana Serrano, 31, and Lucila Goitea, 27, to his hotel.

They arrived at Liam’s luxury suite in the swanky CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at around 11.30am on Wednesday, before leaving at 4pm.

Tributes to Liam Payne

SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.

Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.

Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.

“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”

X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.

He wrote on social media: “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”.

Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”

Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.

He said: “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.”

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.

JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..

“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..

“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”

Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.

He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.

“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.

“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”

German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.

The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”

American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.

Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.

“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…

“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”

Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”

In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”

American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”

ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”

Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”

James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.

The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.

“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”

Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.

Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.

She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.

“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.

Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.

Liam, 31, was reportedly seen arguing with one woman over money in the hotel’s lobby.

A source said: “Aldana and Lucila are absolutely devastated by what happened after they left the hotel.

“They co-operated with the police as soon as they were contacted and wanted to help with the investigation as much as possible.

“Police have the girls’ phone numbers and they will contact them as and when they need if they feel they need any more information.”

In the hours before his death, dad-of one Liam had shared Snapchat posts detailing his plans to play polo and showing what he had for breakfast, despite it being 1pm.

Girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, could be heard saying they were “losers” for getting up so late.

Liam had also been filmed dancing and meeting fans at 1D pal Niall Horan’s concert on October 2 before a selfie of the reunited ex-bandmates was shared online.

TRAGIC DEATH

The star had arrived in Argentina on September 30 with Kate and was seen at Niall’s show dancing and meeting fans on October 2.

Liam and Kate were staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo when he died.

Liam Payne’s last social posts before death see One Direction star watching TV and revealing plans for his day

Crowds of fans gathered behind a cordon outside the accommodation last night.

Tributes have poured in for Liam with celebrities and fans alike sharing their heartbreak.

Former bandmate Harry’s mum shared a moving tribute to Liam on Instagram writing in the caption: “Just a boy…”.

While Liam’s ex-fiancée Maya Henry was ” in shock” in the wake of the tragic news.

Celebrity tributes to Liam Payne

SHOCKED fans have been flooding Liam Payne’s last Instagram post with sad tributes after news of the singer’s death broke.

Broadcaster Rylan Clark said RIP Liam: “Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young.”

Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.