Liam Payne tributes: One Direction bandmates, Robbie Williams, Olly Murs and more
18 October 2024, 10:30 | Updated: 18 October 2024, 10:44
Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne's family have all opened up about the tragic loss of the One Direction star.
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Liam Payne sadly passed away on Wednesday the 16th of October after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina and the tributes have been pouring in.
Celebrities, including Amanda Holden, Dermot O'Leary, Olly Murs and hundreds more have jumped onto social media to share their sadness and reflect on the One Direction star's life.
After 24hours since the tragic event, Liam's 1D bandmates and family also felt ready to open up, breaking their silence on their terrible loss including emotional messages from Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.
Here's a small fraction of the celebrity and family heartfelt tributes pouring in for Liam.
Liam's family
Liam's family kept it short and brief as they take some time to come to terms with the tragic event.
Their statement read: "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 at this awful time."
Harry Styles
In his statement, shared on social media late on Thursday evening, Harry said he "will always" miss his friend.
Harry's full statement and tribute to Liam reads: "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.
"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.
"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. - Harry".
Zayn Malik
Zayn also penned a letter to his lost friend Liam on Instagram as he thanked him for his support and dedication throughout their friendship. He said: "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 year 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.
“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f***s about telling people when they were wrong.
“Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.
You can read his full statement in the post below.
Louis Tomlinson
More than a tribute, Louis took the time to write a letter of reflection following the loss of his "brother". He wrote on Instagram: "I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, 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.
"Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.
"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. Thank you for shaping us Liam."
Robbie Williams
A friend, mentor and a listening ear for Liam, Robbie has taken the time to express his sadness.
Penning a whole letter, the Take That star started: "How to make sense of the Liam Payne tragedy?
"Obviously, my first feelings towards his passing were like everyone else. Shock, sadness and confusion. And to be honest as I write these words that’s where I still am."
Robbie then went on to explain his connection with Liam and reinforced the message of kindness. Read his full statement below:
Harry Styles's mum Anne
Sharing a broken heart emoji, Harry's mum's post was simple but to the point. It simply read: "Just a boy..."
Dermot O'Leary
Former X Factor host Dermot O'Leary shared a poignant black and white image of himself and Liam with the caption: "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"
X Factor
The X Factor Instagram account wrote: "Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him. 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."
Niall Horan's brother Greg
Greg Horan, the brother of Niall Horan, said in a heartfelt statement on Instagram: "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."
- Read more: Liam Payne's amazing X Factor auditions from 2008 and 2010 remembered
- Read more: Heart Breakfast's Amanda Holden pays tribute to 'brilliant' Liam Payne following his tragic death
Max George
The Wanted singer Max George paid tribute to the star saying: "Devastated. Liam was an unbelievably supportive during one of the most difficult times in my life. I will never forget that. My thoughts are with his family, friends and fans at this horrendous time. Rest in peace Liam. Max x"
Olly Murs
Fellow X Factor legend Olly Murs posted: "This news is devastating, am lost for words 😣 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 🙏🏻😣"
Charlie Puth
Singer Charlie Puth who worked with Liam on his 2017 single Bedroom Floor posted on his story: "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."
Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys released a joint statement, writing: "Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now. And it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat.
"Our hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends, and directioners around the world. Rest in peace brother."
Ant Middleton
Former SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton who worked with Liam on a documentary in 2019 spoke to Good Morning Britain about his bond with the singer, stating: "I was just shocked, I was lost for words to be honest. He was such a positive outgoing guy who I believed just lacked a sense of belonging when he left the band.
"And when we did our special together in Namibia I could relate with that because when I left the military I sort of lost my sense of belonging. We had a great conversation on how that sense of belonging is lost and we try and re-identify ourselves and re-establish ourselves and we became very, very close after that and he would call me.
"I only lived about an hour away from him so I'd jump in a car and go to his and we'd have lunch and spend some evenings together and we just built that brotherly bond together."
Watch Ant Middleton pay tribute to Liam Payne here:
Ant Middleton pays tribute to Liam Payne
Zedd
Zedd who worked with Liam on his song Get Low in 2017 posted on X: "RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking..."
Zayn Malik's sister Waliyah
Zayn Malik's sister Waliyha Malik wrote on Instagram: "Literally heartbroken. I have no words" while One Direction hairstylist Lou Teesdale posted: "I hope you're all ok."
- Read more: Liam Payne and son Bear's relationship including first moments to last picture
- Read more: Rita Ora breaks down in tears on stage during emotional tribute to Liam Payne
- Read more: Liam Payne family: Who are the One Direction star's mum, dad and sisters?
