Liam Payne: Cheryl says his death 'definitely painful'

Liam Payne's ex-partner Cheryl said her seven-year-old son Bear “will have to face the reality of never seeing his dad again”.

Payne, 31, died on Wednesday when he fell from the balcony of the third-floor hotel room where he was staying in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Girls Aloud singer, who was in a relationship with Penn from 2016 to 2018, also criticized the “disgusting” media coverage following her death.

Posting on Instagram, Cheryl said: “As I try to navigate this world-shattering event, and work through my own grief during this unspeakably painful time, I want to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a man.”

Along with her statement, Cheryl shared a black and white photo of Penn with their son Bear and a broken heart emoji.

Cheryl also said she was concerned that her son might have access to “disgusting reports and media exploitation” and that she would not be able to protect him from it in the future.

“What hurts my soul the most is that one day Beer will have access to the vile reporting and media exploitation that we've seen in the last two days,” he added.

“It breaks my heart even more that I can't protect her from this in her future.

“I urge you to consider what some of these reports are being used for, other than further harming everyone behind picking up the pieces.

“Before you post comments or videos, ask yourself if you want your own children or family to read them.”

Concluding his statement, the 41-year-old pleaded with the public to give Payne “at least what little dignity he has left after his death to rest in peace”.

Cheryl's social media post comes after Simon Cowell previously paid his own tribute to One Direction, saying he was “heartbroken” and felt “empty” following the singer's death.

Cowell, who brought the group together on The X Factor in 2010, remembered Payne as “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful [and] talented”

“Liam, I'm devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty,” she wrote.

In a post on Instagram, Cowell added: “And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I shed is your memory.”

The talent show judge also said that they are thinking about the time they spent together.

“I wanted to let you know what I always say to the thousands of people who always ask me. How's Liam?”

“And I'll tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, attentive. And how much you loved music. And how much you truly loved the fans.”

Penn's girlfriend Kate Cassidy also paid tribute to the star she called “my angel”, adding that he was “at a complete loss”.

“You are everything,” she said in a statement.

“I want you to know that I love you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”

Payne's father, Geoff Payne, had earlier visited the Buenos Aires morgue where his son's body was taken.

A federal prosecutor told the BBC that Penn's body had been “exonerated”, meaning no further tests were being carried out and identification was possible. An investigation into his death is ongoing.

It is not yet known when Payne's body will be returned to the UK.

Cowell's statement, He also recalled Penn's first X Factor audition in 2008, aged 14, when Cowell told the budding singer he wasn't ready and would return in two years.

“A lot of people would have given up. You didn't. You came back and in a few months the whole world would know Liam.

“And you never forgot the fans. I saw you spend a lot of time with people who wanted to meet you. You really cared.”

Cowell eventually signed One Direction to his label and masterminded their worldwide success before splitting in 2016.

The music mogul also revealed that Payne visited him last year.

“Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And reminisce about all the fun times we had together. And how proud you were to be a dad,” he wrote.

“After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I saw all those years ago.”

She added: “I met your son, Bear. He has your smile and the twinkle in his eye that you've got. And he'd be proud of everything you've achieved. And how you've achieved it.”

Cowell's tribute came after Penn's former bandmates posted their own heartfelt memories.

“I always thought of the five of you in the band as brothers,” Cowell continued. “And about their message today I believe you were.

“And now Liam, I see you've made an impact on so many people. Because you left us too soon.”

Also on Friday, Penn's bandmate Niall Horan posted a tribute, saying he was “absolutely devastated” by the “death of his amazing friend”.

Harry Styles previously said his “heart breaks” for Penn's family. He added: “His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honor to be by his side as he did that.”

Louis Tomlinson echoed Styles' sentiments, describing Liam as “the most important part of One Direction” who had a “gift for writing”.

Zayn Malik spoke directly to Penn in his statement, praising his “positive outlook and reassuring smile.”

Others posting their reactions included another former X Factor judge, Sharon Osbourne, whose message told Payne that the music business “let you down”.

“Where was this industry when you needed them?” He wrote

“You were just a kid when you broke into one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace my friend.”