One Direction members ‘devastated’ by Liam Payne’s shock death


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.

Watch the video above.

READ MORE: Liam Payne’s devastating final social media post

The four remaining One Direction members have broken their silence on Liam Payne’s death. (Getty)

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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.”

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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Liam Payne life in pics SB

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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, Argentinaafter 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.”

READ MORE: Emotional reason One Direction’s Liam Payne flew to Argentina days before shock death aged 31

Liam Payne and Niall Horan at the latter's show in 2024.
Payne had traveled to Argentina in early October to see Horan perform in the capital. (Snapchat)

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“I wish I got the 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

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.

What the former members of One Direction are up to now

Comprised of Payne alongside Styles, Malik, Horan and Tomlinson, One Direction was one of the biggest boybands in the worldtouring 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 capitalposting 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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Liam Payne and Bear
Payne leaves behind a seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he welcomed with singer Cheryl in 2017. (Instagram: Liam Payne)

“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.

Neither Styles, Malink nor Horan, at this stage, have shared individual statements.

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