Liam Payne death latest: Ed Sheeran shares plea after Harry Styles and One Direction bandmates pay tribute

BBC Radio 2 host Scott Mills has said he “can't bear that this is where Liam's story has ended” as he remembered the time he spent with the late singer over the years.

He opened his afternoon show on the station by saying: “The tragic news about Liam Payne is a really hard one to take in because I never thought we would have to say goodbye to him so soon.

“I had so much fun with One Direction, as a lot of you will know, over the years and their memories will stay with me for life, and Liam was such a big part of it.”

He joked that at times he felt like the sixth member of One Direction as he was with them so often during their heyday when he presented on BBC Radio 1.

Mills also recalled laughing with Payne when the singer's father Geoff wanted a selfie with him at the One Direction movie premiere despite having met stars like David Beckham and Mariah Carey beforehand.

The presenter held back tears as he gave a special message to him, saying: “So, Geoff, I don't know if you're hearing this, but my heart goes out to you today and to the rest of Liam's family, and, of course, to his little boy.”

He added: “I just feel so incredibly sad about all of this. Liam, we had so much fun and you were always the kindest, most caring person to me.

“Thank you for letting me be part of your ride. I will never forget it. The band were all so lovely always, but Liam was kind of the grown-up one in the group, the wise one. And I can't bear that this is where Liam's story has ended.”

He then dedicated “Story Of My Life” by One Direction to Payne, his family and his fans.

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Singer Rita Ora, who performed with Liam Payne on “For You” - from the film Fifty Shades Freed - said the news of his death “breaks my heart”.

“I’m devastated,” she said in a statement. “He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much - he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage.

“This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P”

Both in the band and out of it, the pop star struggled to find his defining identity, writes 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.

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.

A letter former One Direction singer Liam Payne wrote to his 10-year-old self for BBC Radio 1 has been reshared following his death at the age of 31.

In the letter, which was written in 2020, Payne tells himself that “for a while you’ll feel like giving up” before One Direction’s success, but told himself “don’t, as you’re about to meet four other guys on the same track as you are”.

The singer died after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, local police have said.

In the letter, which was reshared on Instagram by Radio 1 today, Payne said: “Get Ready, it’s about to get a little bumpy.

“Cherish every moment with your loved ones right now, as there’s only a few more family holidays to enjoy, life is about to turn surreal.

“You know that thing you love, singing, keep it up, when you turn 14, something magical is going to happen, and I’m not talking about puberty.

“Not only will you audition for one of the biggest music shows in the world, but you’ll also meet the future mother (then-X Factor judge, Cheryl Tweedy) of your child.

“I know it seems early, but just trust me, it’s all going to work out however it’s supposed to. I suggest you watch Back To The Future, it might help.

“You are now famous, and it feels like you’ve peaked way too early, you cocky little bugger, but you barely even started yet, take it down a notch, and remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

“Let me tell you this isn’t even base camp, and for a while, you’ll feel like giving up, but don’t as you’re about to meet four of the guys on the same track as you.

“When you first meet them, it’s going to be chaos, but just remember to enjoy yourself, stay young at heart as that’s what this point in your life is all about.

“Forgive more and learn to listen, you’ll have the most amazing time of your life, travel the world and live a life you barely imagined.

“Then it will end for a while, and you will left with nothing but the steering wheel. It will feel scary, like you’re alone, but you are not.

“You’re about to start a total new journey with the most amazing person you met so far, your son Bear.”

He went on to tell his younger self “don’t doubt yourself with this dad thing” adding “you have a lot to give”.

Payne finished: “Be grateful and try to remember every day you’re doing something you love, that took 10 years to build.

“The first single will skyrocket and you’ll never see it coming, you’ll stop with the self doubt and you’ll be fine.

“Give mum, dad, and all the family, a big hug from me.”

Simon Cowell has responded to the sudden death of One Direction star Liam Payne by cancelling filming for Britain’s Got Talent.

Payne, who shot to international fame when One Direction was formed on X Factor, was found dead after falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The singer had been in the country in part to support his former bandmate Niall Horan who had been performing in Buenos Aires. Payne had attended Horan’s concert earlier this month with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy before deciding to stay in the country for longer.

Simon Cowell, who formed One Direction on X Factor and was their first manager, has responded to the news by halting filming for ITV’s new series of Britain’s Got Talent, which features Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and guest judge KSI on the judging panel.

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Simon Jones, who worked as One Direction’s publicist after their appearance on X Factor until their split in 2016, has said he is “still in shock and heartbroken” over Liam Payne’s death.

Jones, who continues to represent former 1D stars Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, shared a brief post to Instagram Stories that said he worked closely with Payne for six years and “will always have the happiest memories of our amazing times together all over the world and the incredible journey we all went on”.

“I’m deeply said for his family, his bandmates, all the fans who loved him and Cheryl and their son,” he said.

The Trussell Trust has revealed that Liam Payne was a strong supporter of its charity work, helping to provide more than 360,000 meals.

The food bank charity's chief executive Emma Revie said she was “extremely saddened” by his death.

“Over the last four years, Liam was a generous supporter of Trussell and our community of food banks, not only funding the provision of more than 360,000 meals during COVID but also often joining us in calling for the solutions required to end the need for emergency food,” he said.

“We greatly appreciate the compassion and kindness he always showed to people facing hunger and hardship. His death is a very tragic loss, and our thoughts are with his loved ones.”

Payne had previously spoken about wanting to “play my part in finding a solution to ensure people have enough money to buy their own food - and end the need for food banks”.