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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Nick Perry

Singer Zayn postpones US tour after the death of his former bandmate Liam Payne

One Direction singer Liam Payne dies aged 31

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Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik has announced he is postponing his US tour in the wake of the singer’s sudden death, aged 31.

Meanwhile in Argentina, Payne’s father thanked fans for their support after his son fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Geoff Payne was seen reading tributes and kissing photos of his son outside the hotel where he died.

In a moving Instagram post, the singer’s sister Ruth Gibbins said “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you” .

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.

Zayn postpones tour in wake of Payne’s death

Payne’s One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik has announced on social media that he is postponing his upcoming US tour.

He wrote: “Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I’ve made the decision to postpone the US leg of the STAIRWAY TO THE SKY Tour. The dates are being rescheduled for January and I’ll post them as soon as it’s all set in the next few days. Your tickets will remain valid for the new dates. Love you all and thank you for your understanding.”

Kevin Perry19 October 2024 18:41

Robbie Williams shares final exchange with Liam Payne

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.

Robbie Williams shares final exchange with Liam Payne: ‘Very proud of you’

‘I still had my demons at 31,’ wrote Take That singer

Jacob Stolworthy20 October 2024 13:30

Liam Payne’s father reads tributes to son outside hotel where he died

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.

Liam Payne's father admires fan tributes outside Argentina hotel following son's death
Jacob Stolworthy20 October 2024 12:00

Cheryl describes ‘indescribably painful’ grief

Cheryl Cole, the former X Factor judge who shares son Bear with Liam Payne, has issued a statement following the death of the One Direction singer.

“As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” she began.

Read in full here:

Cheryl Cole breaks silence on ‘earth shattering’ death of Liam Payne

Liam Payne, who shares seven-year-old son Bear with ex Cheryl Cole, died on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony

Jacob Stolworthy20 October 2024 11:30

Liam Payne’s cause of death revealed in preliminary autopsy

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”.

Liam Payne cause of death revealed in preliminary autopsy

Singer died in fall from hotel balcony while staying in Buenos Aires

Jacob Stolworthy20 October 2024 11:00

Former ‘X Factor’ judge says ‘we all let you down’ in tribute to Liam Payne

“Liam, my heart aches,” Sharon Osbourne wrote in a tribute to Liam Payne on Instagram.

“We all let you down. Where was this industry when you needed them? You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner?

“Rest in peace my friend.”

‘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

Jacob Stolworthy20 October 2024 10:30

Liam Payne drew the short straw in One Direction – now we’ll never know the real him

Both in the band and out of it, the pop star struggled to find his defining identity, writes The Independent’s Mark Beaumont. Attempts at telling the world who he is with a second solo album and a documentary fell on deaf ears. His life now cut tragically short, the singer may remain elusive forever.

Read the full piece here:

Mark Beaumont20 October 2024 10:00

Liam Payne watches Niall Horan concert in Argentina days before death

Liam Payne watches Niall Horan concert in Argentina days before death
Jacob Stolworthy20 October 2024 09:30

Camila Cabello remembers Payne for his kindness

Camila Cabello, the 27-year-old Cuban-born pop star who rose to fame as a member of girl group Fifth Harmony, has recalled the impact Payne had on her when they first met.

(Rahul Bhatt)
Jacob Stolworthy20 October 2024 08:53

Zayn postpones tour in wake of Payne’s death

Payne’s One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik has announced on social media that he is postponing his upcoming US tour.

He wrote: “Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I’ve made the decision to postpone the US leg of the STAIRWAY TO THE SKY Tour. The dates are being rescheduled for January and I’ll post them as soon as it’s all set in the next few days. Your tickets will remain valid for the new dates. Love you all and thank you for your understanding.”

Kevin Perry20 October 2024 07:00
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