- Former One Direction singer Liam Payne died Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony.
- Payne, who was 31, was a member of the popular boy band from 2010 until they went on hiatus in 2016.
- Now, Payne’s former bandmates are mourning him on social media.
Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmates have broken their silence on his sudden death.
The 31-year-old singer died on Wednesday, October 16, after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina. The circumstances of his death are still unclear; it’s not known whether the fall was intentional or accidental. (Representatives for Payne did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.)
Payne, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan, formed the band One Direction during the 2010 British talent show “The X Factor.” The band released five albums before going on indefinite hiatus in 2016 and has sold more than 70 million records worldwide.
On Thursday, the surviving former group members shared a joint statement on the group’s official Instagram account.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. 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 begins.
“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,” the statement concludes. It’s signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall, and Harry.”
Some group members also individually shared their own tributes to Payne on their personal Instagram accounts. Tomlinson was the first to share his own post, which included a lengthy statement about how he was “beyond devastated” to have “lost a brother.”
“Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” he wrote, before reflecting on the first time they met.
“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,” he continued.
Tomlinson also referenced Payne’s songwriting abilities and the hope they’d had of one day reuniting creatively.
“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,” Tomlinson wrote, calling Payne “the most vital part of One Direction” thanks to his experience, perfect pitch, and stage presence in addition to his writing skills.
Tomlinson went on the share a message directly with Liam.
“I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,” he said. “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.”
Tomlinson also referenced Payne’s 7-year-old son Bear, whom he shared with his ex, Cheryl Cole. “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,” he wrote.
“I wish I got [the] chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X,” Tomlinson ended the post.
Malik shared his own tribute soon after Tomlinson’s, alongside a photo of them sleeping on one another as teens. In it, he also addressed Payne directly.
“Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” Malik wrote.
He continued by thanking Payne for supporting him through “some of the most difficult times” in his life in the band’s early days. “When I was missing home as a 17 yr 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,” Malik wrote.
“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no fucks 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,” Malik wrote.
Like Tomlinson, Malik also praised Payne as “the most qualified” of the band members. “I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional. I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next,” he said.
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,” Malik continued, adding that he would cherish all their memories together and that he was “beyond devastated” at the loss.
“I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace 🙏🏾 and you know how loved you are. Love you bro,” he concluded.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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