Liam Payne death latest: Hundreds of One Direction fans mourn singer in Hyde Park vigil

Hundreds of One Direction fans have gathered in central London to pay tribute to Liam Payne.

The large group stood in silence and sang renditions of the band’s songs on Sunday (20 October) in celebration of the singer’s life.

ITV reporter Charlotte Cross captured footage of the vigil, writing: “Hundreds of people have gathered in Hyde Park, London, for a memorial event for Liam Payne.

“Fans are singing, laying flowers, and writing messages paying their respects to the former One Direction singer who died this week aged 31. Full story on @itvnews tonight”

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.

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.

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:

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, 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.”

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:

Liam Payne watches Niall Horan concert in Argentina days before death

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.

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.”