Key Points
- Singer Liam Payne has died in Buenos Aires.
- Police said he was found dead after falling from the third floor of a hotel.
- The 31-year-old rose to fame as part of the boy band One Direction.
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne has died in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, police have confirmed.
Local media reported on Wednesday that the 31-year-old British musician was found dead after falling from the third floor of a hotel in the city.
Citing officials, leading local newspapers La Nacion and Clarin reported that police were called to the hotel in the capital’s Palermo neighbourhood responding to an emergency call that cited “an aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol”.
Payne was found in an interior hotel patio, according to the news reports.
Singer Liam Payne rose to fame as a member of British boy band One Direction. Source: Getty / Dave J Hogan
Earlier on Wednesday, Payne had appeared to post on Snapchat about his trip to Argentina, talking about riding horses, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home to see his dog.
“It’s a lovely day here in Argentina,” he said in the video.
Argentine media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.
Who was Liam Payne?
Born in the English city of Wolverhampton, Payne rose to global fame as part of the since-disbanded pop band One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
The boy band got its start after finishing third on the British version of the X Factor music competition show in 2010.
Payne initially auditioned as a solo act but was given a second chance to come back as part of a group at Bootcamp, forming what would become one of the talent show’s biggest success stories.
One Direction became one of the biggest pop groups in the world with five albums, four world tours and one movie, and sold more than 20 million albums.
The group broke up in 2016 as its members pursued different projects, including solo careers.
Liam Payne, second from right, rose to fame as a One Direction member. Source: AP / Jonathan Short
In 2017, Payne released his debut solo single Strip That Down to commercial success. It peaked at number three in the UK and number 10 in the US.
He released his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019 which included the singles Polaroid and Familiar.
The musician has previously spoken publicly about his struggles with mental health and using alcohol to cope with the pressures of fame.
Payne had a son, Bear, in 2017 with former Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole.
‘A joy to be around’
Fans and celebrities have started paying tributes to the singer on social media.
“So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing,” Paris Hilton wrote on X.
“Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
Journalist Dan Wootton described Payne’s death as an “appalling tragedy and a waste of life”, and said the singer was a “joy to be around”.
The official X account for the BRIT Awards posted: “We’re incredibly sad to learn of the tragic passing of Liam Payne.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this time.”
DJ and music producer Zedd called the news “absolutely heartbreaking”.
Former X-Factor contestant Rylan said Payne’s death was “so tragic”, while singing duo Jedward sent their love to his young son Bear and family.
A statement on MTV’s official social media accounts said: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of Liam Payne’s tragic passing today. During this difficult time, our hearts remain with his family, loved ones, and fans.”
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