Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Liam Payne‘s father has “thanked” his son’s fans for their support over the singer’s sudden death, aged 31, after he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
Geoff Payne arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday (18 October) to arrange for the return of his son’s body to the UK, and was seen reading tributes and kissing photos of his son outside the hotel where he died
Payne’s former One Direction bandmates have said they are “devastated” over the singer’s death, while Cheryl, the mother of Payne’s 7-year-old son Bear, has opened up about her grief at an “indescribably painful time.”
The singer, who shot to fame after joining the pop group on reality TV contest The X Factor in 2010 along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, was described as a “kind, funny and brave soul” in a tribute from his surviving bandmates.
Payne’s cause of death was revealed in a preliminary autopsy on Thursday 17 October. Photos taken by officials of his hotel room showed it in a state of disarray, with a smashed TV screen and debris scattered around the surfaces.
The father of Liam Payne arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday (18 October) to arrange for the return of his son’s body to the UK.
Geoff Payne has been seen reading tributes and kissing photos of his son outside the Argentina hotel where he died
Argentine authorities said Geoff was headed to the local prosecutor’s office, which is investigating the case as a matter of protocol. Local media reported that he later visited the morgue.
It’s the first time that any of Payne’s family members have been seen publicly since the star’s sudden death, which has led to an outpouring of grief from the world of music and entertainment.
Rita Ora fights back tears as she struggles through Liam Payne tribute live on stage
Rita Ora fights back tears as she struggles through Liam Payne tribute live on stage
Rita Ora fought back tears as she performed a tribute to Liam Payne hours after the One Direction star's death. The musician, 33, sang "For You" — the track she collaborated with Payne on in 2018 — in front of a black and white image of the pair during her show in Osaka, Japan. Ora struggled through the song, asking the audience to sing for her as she sat on a riser with her head in her hands. She later walked off stage with her arms crossed. Payne passed away aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, 16 October, police said.
Niall Horan recalls last conversation with Liam Payne: ‘I didn’t know I was saying goodbye forever’
Niall Horan has shared a fresh tribute to his late One Direction bandmate Liam Payne, reflecting on their recent meeting just two weeks ago.
The Irish singer, who rose to fame along with Payne and their bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik after competing on The X Factorin 2010, posted the statement to Instagram along with a sweet photo of them together.
“I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam,” Horan, 31, wrote. “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 made everyone feel happy and secure.”
Read the full tribute here:
Niall Horan recalls last conversation with ‘brother’ Liam Payne
Irish singer said he found himself reflecting on the joyful moments he shared with Payne over the years
Liam Payne’s ex speaks out after his death in Buenos Aires hotel
Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend Aliana Mawla has spoken out following the One Direction singer’s death aged 31.
The social media personality, who reportedly dated Payne after his breakup with ex-fiancée Maya Henry, took to her Instagram Story on Thursday (October 17), where she paid tribute to the pop star after he died Wednesday evening after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Mawla shared a photo that appeared to show Payne at a concert, writing over the image: “I’m sorry this happened to you… will forever love and miss you.”
In another Instagram Story post, the “Strip That Down” singer’s hand appeared to be interlocked in Mawla’s, showing off his “L” and “P” tattoos on each of his hands, as her thumb was placed in between.
Liam Payne’s ex speaks out after his death in Buenos Aires hotel
Payne was previously spotted with Mawla in May 2022 following his split from ex-fiancée Maya Henry
Former X-Factor judge accuses music industry of ‘letting down’ Liam Payne
Sharon Osbourne has hit out at the music industry for “letting down” Liam Payne, who has died aged 31.
The One Direction star’s friends and millions of fans are already paying tribute to the singer, who police say fell from a third-floor hotel balcony. He is survived by his parents, his two older sisters, and his seven-year-old son, Bear.
Payne’s family said in a statement: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
While several of Payne’s fellow X Factor contestants have addressed the sudden pressures of fame in their tributes to the singer, Osbourne – a former judge on the show where One Direction was formed – has now waded in, declaring: “We all let you down.”
Osbourne, who said her “heart aches” over the news of Payne’s death, was a judge on The X Factor’s early series from 2004 to 2007, but was no longer a part of the show when Payne was put into One Direction by Simon Cowell and guest judge Nicole Scherzinger. She returned for one series in 2013.
‘We let Liam Payne down,’ says former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne
‘Where was this industry when you needed them?’ former ‘X Factor’ judge asked
Liam Payne’s post-One Direction timeline: from podcast fall outs to fatherhood
Liam Payne’s post-One Direction timeline: from podcast fall outs to fatherhood
Singer was open about his experiences in the aftermath of the band’s split, as he pursued a solo career and had a son with former ‘X Factor’ judge, Cheryl Tweedy
Liam Payne cause of death revealed in preliminary autopsy
Liam Payne died of multiple traumatic injuries caused by falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, local police said on Thursday.
A preliminary autopsy indicated that Payne had suffered “internal and external” hemorrhages and multiple traumatic injuries, according to the report seen by multiple outlets. Officials said Payne’s plunge from the third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel was what caused his fatal injuries.
A toxicology report is still pending.
The One Direction singer was pronounced dead on Wednesday (October 16), after emergency services responded to a hotel manager’s call about an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
Full story:
Liam Payne cause of death revealed in preliminary autopsy
Singer died in fall from hotel balcony while staying in Buenos Aires
VIDEO: Liam Payne's father admires fan tributes outside Argentina hotel following son's death
Robbie Williams shares final exchange with Liam Payne after ‘very similar’ experience under spotlight
Robbie Williams has shared his thoughts on the pressures of being under the spotlight as he paid tribute to the late One Direction singer Liam Payne.
The musician died from multiple traumatic injuries caused by falling from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services responded to a hotel manager’s call about a guest “under the influence of alcohol and drugs” who could “do something that could put his life at risk”. He was 31.
Williams, who rose to fame in the Nineties with boyband Take That and went on to mentor One Direction on X Factor, shared his final interaction with Payne – an email exchange from June 2022 that sees Williams giving the singer advice and telling him he is “proud” of him.
In the email messages shared by Williams, Payne tells the “Angels” singer his support “means the world”.
“I’m nervous as hell about it but I won’t back out, you have my word, wish me luck,” Payne says, to which Williams responds: “F*** yeah... go get it... very proud of you. Massive x.”
Robbie Williams shares final exchange with Liam Payne: ‘Very proud of you’
‘I still had my demons at 31,’ wrote Take That singer
Reports Liam Payne was ‘dropped by record label’ as X Factor co-star hits out at Simon Cowell
Former X Factor contestant Katie Waissel, who appeared in the same series as Liam Payne and his One Direction bandmates, has hit out at show creator Simon Cowell following the singer’s death.
Payne died in a fall from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday 16 October. Local authorities are carrying out an autopsy, with the preliminary results released yesterday (17 October).
Waissel shared a lengthy statement upon the news of Payne’s death, calling him her “dear friend” and her “confident”, who offered her support during some of her “darkest moments” while on The X Factor.
“Liam was kind, with a pure heart, a sharp mind, and the wisdom of an old soul,” she said. “His warmth and compassion left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
“His tragic passing not only leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who loved him but also serves as a painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry.”
Full story:
Liam Payne’s X Factor co-star hits out at Simon Cowell amid record label report
One Direction star and solo singer, who has died aged 31, was reportedly dealt a blow by his label after the release of his last single, ‘Teardrops’