DEVASTATED Niall Horan has paid tribute to his “amazing friend” and ex-bandmate Liam Payne who died aged 31.
The singer fell from a hotel balcony on Wednesday, days after the One Direction pair reunited at a gig in Argentina.
Liam attended one of Niall’s shows on October 2 in Buenos Aires, and was filmed dancing before greeting adoring fans.
The pair later shared backstage selfies – with Niall, also 31, seen grinning broadly.
However, yesterday the Irish musician was snapped looking heartbroken as he stepped out in London to walk his dog, hours after learning of his pal’s death.
He shared a tribute today, featuring a throwback picture with Liam from early in their careers, alongside a black heart emoji.
It comes as…
Niall wrote: “I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
“All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
“We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.
“I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.
“My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.”
Fellow former ID stars Harry Styles, 30, Louis Tomlinson, 32, and Zayn Malik, 31, also expressed their grief in equally heartbreaking posts.
Harry shared a picture of dad-of-one Liam alongside a heartfelt statement that said his “greatest joy was making other people happy”.
Louis, meanwhile, said he was “beyond devastated” after losing his “brother”.
“Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” he said, adding that the tragic star was the “most vital part” of One Direction.
Zayn shared a photo him and Liam embracing in the back of a car during their early band days.
He said he “can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives”.
The singer, who left the band first in 2016 – months before the remaining members decided to go on an indefinite hiatus – said they often “butted heads” but he had a profound respect for Liam.
A woman also staying at the CasaSur Hotel in the Palermo area of the Argentine capital where Liam died on Wednesday afternoon, said he displayed “disturbing” behaviour shortly before the tragedy.
She said Liam told her: “I used to be in a boy band – that’s why I’m so f**ked up.”
The 28-year-old said she has been left “shaken” by what happened, having seen Liam just moments before he died.
She told the Mail how “there was something a bit desperate” about Liam’s behaviour.
She encountered Liam in the foyer of the hotel on Wednesday afternoon and took photos of him at 4.26pm local time (8.26pm UK time).
She claims he became “upset” by an email on his screen and shouted “f**k this s**t mate” before smashing the laptop on the ground.
A 911 call from hotel staff later that afternoon revealed they needed “urgent assistance” from cops to help with a guest “behaving erratically”.
Liam was found dead in the hotel’s inner courtyard at just after 5pm local time (9pm UK time).
His death was confirmed as soon as ambulance crews arrived.
Cops discovered “what appeared to be narcotics, alcohol, destroyed objects and furniture” in his room.
Photos published by Argentine media showed white powder, burnt aluminium foil and a smashed TV screen inside his suite.
Forensic teams reported that a whiskey bottle, lighter and mobile phone were retrieved from the building’s internal courtyard where Liam’s body was found.
But cops are yet to confirm what the substances found in the room are and are due to run tests on them shortly.
The singer had been open about his battles with addiction in the past.
Officials have said “everything indicates” that he was alone when he died and could have been partly or fully unconscious when he fell.
A full toxicology report is still pending and could take weeks to become public.
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 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. – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.
Louis Tomlinson wrote: “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.
“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.
“I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.”
Zayn Malik said: “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.
“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.”
He added: “When it came to the music, Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense.
“I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
“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.
“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever”.
And Harry Styles wrote: “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.”
Niall Horan wrote: “I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
“All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
“We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.
“I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.
“My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.”
