Tributes have been pouring in for the 31-year-old singer who fell from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires.
Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.
The 31-year-old singer suffered “extremely serious injuries” after falling from the third floor at the hotel in the capital Buenos Aires, police said.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne, who had a seven-year-old son with former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, fell into a courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the city’s Palermo neighbourhood.
The official declined to answer questions about how he came to fall from the balcony.
Mr Crescenti said authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting a post-mortem.
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Meanwhile, a transcript has been released of the emergency call the hotel desk manager made to 911 after the fall.
The hotel manager is heard saying he has a “guest drunk with drugs and alcohol”, adding: “He is breaking everything in the room.”
He later tells the operator they “need to send someone with urgency because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger because he is in a room with a balcony”.
The hotel manager continues: “We are afraid he could do something that threatens life.”
The 911 operator says the police and emergency medical workers have been sent to the scene.
Argentinian media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan earlier this month.
Fans flocked to the hotel after news of Payne’s death broke, with many expressing shock and heartbreak.
One Direction fans from across the world have also been sharing poignant tributes to Payne on social media.
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In the hours before his death, photos shared from the singer’s Snapchat account showed him with his partner Kate Cassidy.
There was also clips, including one where he said it was a “lovely day here in Argentina”.
It appears the videos were filmed earlier in the week and then posted in his final hours.
“Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it’s like 1pm,” he said. “Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We’re such losers.”
The star spoke about “going to ride some horses” and said: “Think I’m going to play polo again which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks.”
“It’s going to be a nice day,” he added.
Payne had embarked on a solo career after One Direction announced they were going on an indefinite hiatus in 2015.
The band was formed on The X Factor in 2010, with Payne featuring alongside Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Harry Styles. They were mentored by Simon Cowell who had also created the show.
The group finished third before signing with Cowell’s “Syco” record label and going on to become one of the best-selling boybands of all time.
Payne’s relationship with Cheryl, who was a judge on the X Factor, began in 2016 and ended in 2018. They named their son Bear.
Britain’s Got Talent, another show created by Cowell, has cancelled its auditions in Blackpool today in light of Payne’s death.
It comes as tributes from the entertainment industry have been pouring in for Payne since news of the tragedy emerged.
In a post from its official X account, the team at the X Factor wrote: “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.”
Separately, Dermot O’Leary, a former host of the show, posted a photo of himself and Payne on Instagram, writing: “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.”
TV presenter Rylan Clark, a former X Factor contestant, said: “Extremely sad news. (Very) tragic and so young. RIP Liam.”
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, Hip hop icon Flavor Flav, boxer Chris Eubank Jr and former Cultural Club singer Boy George are also among those who have paid tribute.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also offered his condolences, with his official spokesman saying: “The Prime Minister’s sincere condolences are with Liam’s family and friends at this time.
“One Direction were one of the biggest bands in history and their music had a huge impact on many millions of fans around the world.”
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https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.673.0_en.html#goog_1746462811Play Video – Liam Payne’s X Factor auditionLiam Payne’s X Factor audition
Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, had a complicated personal life and spoken openly about his struggles with alcoholism and mental health. He was also diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.
He had previously spoken about suffering with suicidal thoughts, admitting that he was “lucky to still be here”.
In 2019, Payne addressed his mental health on Sky show Straight Talking with Ant Middleton, where he spoke about his struggles with fame.
Describing fame as like “having a weird midlife crisis”, Payne said: “For some certain circumstances, I’m quite lucky to be here still.”
Since October 2022, Payne has been linked to influencer Cassidy, recently posting on Instagram that they “make each other better people”, and adding: “For the first time in my life I’m happy to be me and that’s priceless.”
He was previously engaged to Maya Henry, with their relationship ending in 2022.
Earlier this week, it was reported she had issued legal proceedings – instructing lawyers to issue a cease and desist letter to Payne – and she posted a video on TikTok claiming the singer had been repeatedly sending her unwanted messages.
Last week, the Sun reported Payne had parted with his management company and shelved plans for a second solo album.
I Wanted to Teach My Husband a Lesson for Cheating on Me, but Life Punished Me Instead
Bethany’s perfect life shatters when she discovers a love note hidden in her husband’s jacket, hinting at his infidelity. Devastated and consumed by betrayal, she spirals into a quest for revenge that may destroy the very family she cherishes.
My name is Bethany, and I had everything a woman could ask for: a devoted husband, Noah, and two wonderful kids, Darcy and Jake. Every morning, I’d wake up feeling blessed, thinking, “This is it. I’ve made it.”
Until one mistake destroyed everything.
It was a Friday afternoon, and I was doing one of those deep cleans where you end up finding all sorts of forgotten treasures and junk. I was sorting through Noah’s jackets, wondering how one man could need so many, when I felt something crinkle in the pocket.
Curious, I pulled out a folded piece of paper, thinking it was an old receipt or a shopping list.
I unfolded the note, and my heart stopped. The words blurred as my mind tried to make sense of them.
“I will never forget Friday night. You were the best! I love you! I hope you will still divorce her and we will have the children we dream of!”
My hands shook. My first thought was denial. No, this couldn’t be true. Noah had said he was working late that Friday. He even brought home a project he was supposedly working on.
I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. I sat down, clutching the note, my mind racing.
For days, I was a mess. My perfect life began to crumble. I couldn’t look at Noah without seeing those words, imagining him with someone else. The betrayal cut deeper than I ever thought possible.
I became distant, preoccupied. Noah noticed, of course, but every time he asked if something was wrong, I brushed him off with a weak smile and a “just tired, that’s all.”
Darcy and Jake sensed the tension too.
Darcy would ask, “Mommy, are you okay?” And I’d plaster on a smile, trying to reassure her. But the cracks were showing, and everyone around me started to notice.
Friends invited me out, sensing I needed a break, but I couldn’t bring myself to go. I was drowning in a sea of confusion and hurt.
So, I did something I’d never done before. I went to a bar alone. The dim lights and low hum of conversation felt like a cocoon where I could hide from my reality. I ordered a drink. Then another. And another.
“Is this seat taken?” a smooth voice interrupted my thoughts.
I looked up to see a charming stranger with a warm smile. His name was Mark, and he had this easy confidence about him.
“I can’t,” he said, his voice breaking. “I don’t know how it got there! Is this why you’ve been so distant lately? Why didn’t you talk to me?”
“Because you would’ve denied it, just like you’re doing now!” I shot back.
Noah flinched. He looked at me, his eyes filled with so much pain, but then his expression hardened.
“So, this is your solution?” he gestured to Mark. “Instead of talking to me, you go out and hook up with the first Casanova you find?”
In the silence of our empty home, I reflected on everything that had happened. Trust and communication, I realized, were the foundations of any relationship. Without them, everything crumbles.
I sat down and wrote a letter to Noah, pouring my heart out. I apologized, begged for forgiveness, and promised to do better. I told him I loved him and that I understood if he needed time. But I hoped, someday, he could forgive me.
In seeking revenge, I had only punished myself the most. It was time to start making things right.
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