One Direction shares 'devastated' after Liam Payne's death

Liam Payne's former One Direction bandmates say they are “absolutely devastated” by their band member's death.

In a statement signed by Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles, they said: “In time, and when everyone is able, there will be more to say”.

The pop star, who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2010, fell to her death from the third floor of a hotel in Argentina, police say.

Earlier Penn's family said they were “heartbroken” to pay tribute to a “kind, funny and brave soul” following his death aged 31.

“We are supporting each other as best we can as a family and asking for privacy and space during this terrible time,” they said.

Liam was one of the five members of One Direction.

The band's statement added: “We will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, whom we loved so much.” And concluded: “We will miss him terribly. We love you, Liam.”

Harry Styles, the former One Direction band member shared a photo of Liam on Instagram, saying he was “wide open, with his heart on his sleeve”.

“The years we spent together will forever be the most cherished of my life.

“I will always miss him, my dear friend”.

Fellow cast member Louis Tomlinson also shared a separate tribute on his personal Instagram account, thanking Payne for being “the kind brother I've longed for all my life”.

“Reminiscing about the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I would have with you for the rest of my life,” she wrote.

She also added that she will support Liam's son.

“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me, I will be his uncle in his life and tell him stories about how amazing his father was.”

Zayn Malik, who left the band in 2015, shared a tribute on Instagram alongside a small photo of him and Penn sleeping in a car: “I lost a brother when you left us and I can't explain what I give you. to hug for the last time”

Payne, who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2010, died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Palermo, Buenos Aires, police say.

Police searched the area where she fell and found items including alcohol and a phone.

Medicines were also recovered from his room.

In a statement, police said Payne's body was discovered when emergency crews were called to the hotel and “everything indicates the musician was alone at the time of the fall”.

They added that they believe Payne died at the scene and there were no injuries that would suggest a third party was involved.

Following his death at approximately 17:00 (21:00 BST) on Wednesday, stars expressed their dismay and posted memories of the father who shared a son, Bear, with former partner Girls Aloud star Cheryl.

Former bandmate Harry's mother Anne Twist paid tribute, posting a broken-heart emoji on Instagram, captioned: “Just a boy.”

Singer Rita Ora, who collaborated with Penn on a song in 2018, said she was “devastated” in a post on Instagram, saying she “loved working with him”.

On Thursday, police in Buenos Aires said a preliminary autopsy said the One Direction star died of external and internal bleeding.

They say the area where Payne fell was searched and items including alcohol and a phone were discovered. Medicines were found in his room.

Olly Moores, who starred in The X Factor a year before One Direction, also expressed his grief on Instagram, saying he was “lost for words” and describing Penn's death as “devastating”.

Moores said they “always had a good laugh” when they met, mostly “talking about how annoyingly good her hair always looked, or our love of old XF Bakes”. [X Factor] Days and tours we share together.

“Liam shared the same passions, the same dreams as me, so to see his life end at such a young age. I'm really disappointed and devastated for his family and of course his son Bear to lose a father.”

Dermot O'Leary, who hosted The X Factor when Liam appeared, posted a picture of the pair on stage, captioning the Instagram post: “The worst news ever.”

“I remember her auditioning for The X Factor aged 14 and blowing us away singing Sinatra. She just loved singing,” she wrote.

“He was always cheerful, had time for everyone, modest, grateful and always humble.”

American singer Charlie Puth, co-writer of Penn's 2017 song Bedroom Floor, said he was in “shock” following Penn's death.

Charlie posted a photo of the pair working out together, with the caption “Liam has always been so kind to me”.

The Wanted star Max George described her death as “absolutely devastating news”.

“I've had the pleasure of getting to know him personally and spent some precious time with him over the past few years,” he said on Instagram.

“Tom while Liam has been absolutely fantastic in terms of support [Parker] Fell ill, performed Stand Up To Cancer with us at the Royal Albert Hall.

“He personally supported me a lot after Tom passed. I'll never forget that.

“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can't believe he's gone… I'm so upset right now, may he rest in peace.”

The X Factor said they were “heartbroken” by his passing and were thinking of Penn's loved ones and those who loved him.

“He was extremely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy to the music industry and fans around the world.”

At X, Rylan Clarke, who was also an X Factor contestant, said the death was “so sad”, while Jedward sent his condolences to Cheryl, his son Bear and “the whole One Direction family”.

Football team West Bromwich Albion were “saddened” by the passing of “Baggies fan” Penn and sent their thoughts to his loved ones.

McFly sent their love to Penn's friends and family and said they were “shocked and deeply saddened” to wake up to the news of his death.

Liam Gallagher, from Oasis, wrote in X: “Life is precious kids and you can only do it when it's easy.”

DJ and music producer Zedd, who featured with Penn on the 2017 song Get Low, called the singer's death “absolutely heartbreaking”.

Boyband Backstreet Boys said: “Words can't express the emotion we're collectively feeling right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat.”

American singer and rapper Ty Dolla Sign said he would “miss” Payne, captioning the video and photo on his Instagram story: “Talked to you two days ago my man.”