Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmates say they are “absolutely devastated” by their fellow bandmate’s passing.
In a statement signed by Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles, they said: “In time, when everyone can, more can be said”.
The pop star, who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2010, fell to her death from the third floor of a hotel in Argentina, police say.
Earlier Payne’s family said they were “heartbroken” after her death at the age of 31 as they paid tribute to a “wonderful, funny and brave soul”.
“We are supporting each other as best we can as a family and asking for privacy and space during this difficult time,” they said.
Liam is one of the five members of One Direction.
The band’s statement added: “We will be taking some time to grieve and process the loss of our much-loved brother.” And concluded: “We will miss him terribly. We love you, Liam.”
Harry Styles, the former One Direction band member, shared a photo of Liam on Instagram, saying he “lived in the open with his heart on his sleeve”.
“The years we spent together will be the most cherished of my life.
“I will always miss him, my dear friend.”
Fellow member Louis Tomlinson shared a separate tribute on his personal Instagram account, thanking Payne for being “the loving brother I’ve longed for all my life”.
“It’s a luxury to recall the thousands of wonderful memories we had together and I thought I’d be with you for the rest of my life,” she wrote.
She also said she supports Liam’s son.
“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 wonderful his daddy is.”
Zayn Malik, who left the band in 2015, shared a tribute on Instagram alongside a younger photo of him and Payne sleeping in a car: “I lost a brother when you left us and I can’t explain what I would give you. To hug you one last time”.
Payne, who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2010, fell to her death from the third floor of a hotel in Palermo, Buenos Aires, according to police.
When the police examined the place where he fell, they found items including alcohol and a phone.
Drugs were also found in his room.
In a statement, police said Payne’s body was found when emergency crews were called to the hotel and “everything indicates the musician was alone when the fall occurred.”
They believed Payne was pronounced dead at the scene and there were no injuries that could have involved a third party.
Following his death at around 17:00 (21:00 BST) on Wednesday, the stars expressed their grief and posted memories of the father, who shared a son with former partner Girls Aloud star Cheryl.
Former bandmate Harry’s mother Anne Twist paid tribute, posting a heartbroken emoji on Instagram and captioning it: “A boy”.
Singer Rita Ora, who collaborated with Payne on a song in 2018, said she was “devastated” in a post on Instagram, adding that she “really loved working with him”.
On Thursday, police in Buenos Aires said a preliminary autopsy suggested the One Direction star died of external and internal bleeding injuries.
They said they examined the area where Payne fell and found items including alcohol and a phone. The drug was found in his room.
Olly Murs, who starred in The X Factor a year before One Direction, shared his condolences on Instagram, saying he was “lost for words” and describing Payne’s death as “devastating”.
Murs said they were “always having a good laugh” when they met, mostly because of “how annoyingly good his hair always was, or our love of Becks, old XF [X Factor] We shared days and tours together.
“Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams, so it’s so hard to see his life end so young now. I’m truly heartbroken for his family and for the loss of a father to his son Bear.”
Dermot O’Leary, who hosted The X Factor when Liam appeared, posted a photo of the pair on stage, captioning the Instagram post: “Bad news.”
“I remember when he auditioned for The X Factor as a 14-year-old boy and wowed us by singing Sinatra. He loved singing,” she wrote.
“He was always happy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, always humble.”
American singer Charlie Puth, who co-wrote Payne’s 2017 song Bedroom Floor, said he was in “shock” after Payne’s death.
Charlie posted pictures of the pair working together with the caption: “Liam has always been so nice to me.”
Wanted star Max George described his death as “absolutely devastating news”.
“Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know him personally and have spent some precious time with him,” she said on Instagram.
“Liam was absolutely fantastic in terms of support while Tom was there [Parker] Illness struck and he performed with us at the Royal Albert Hall for Stand Up to Cancer.
“He personally gave me a lot of support after Tom passed away and I will never forget that.
“He was one of the first great artists I ever worked with. I can’t believe he’s gone… I’m so sad right now, may he rest in peace.”
The X Factor said they were “heartbroken” by his passing and were thinking of Payne’s loved ones and all those who loved him.
“He’s so talented, and as part of a movement, Liam will leave a lasting legacy in the music industry and on fans around the world.”
On X, fellow X Factor contestant Rylan Clarke said the death was “very sad”, while Jedward sent his condolences to Cheryl, her son Pierre and “all the One Direction family”.
Football team West Bromwich Albion were “saddened” by Payne’s death as a “Baggies fan” and sent their thoughts to his loved ones.
Mcfly sent their love to Payne’s friends and family and said they were “shocked and deeply saddened to learn of his death”.
Liam Gallagher, from Oasis, wrote on X: “Life is precious kids and you can easily do it once.”
DJ and music producer Zedd, who collaborated with Payne on the 2017 song Get Low, said the singer’s death was “absolutely heartbreaking”.
Boyband Backstreet Boys said: “Words can’t express the emotions we collectively feel right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat.”
American singer and rapper Ty Dolla Sign said she “misses” Payne, captioning videos and pictures on her Instagram story: “Talked to you two days ago my boy.”
