One Direction's Former Touring Bandmates and Others Close to the Group Pay Tribute to Liam Payne After His Death

Mar. 15, 2025

Liam Payne in July 2023; One Direction in November 2013.Photo:Dave Benett/Getty Images; Karwai Tang/WireImage

Dave Benett/Getty Images; Karwai Tang/WireImage

After the “Strip That Down” singer died at age 31 on Oct. 16, several individuals who worked alongside him during his time inOne Directionhave paid tribute to him on social media.

Payne was pronounced dead after falling multiple stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Policía Federal Argentina confirmed to PEOPLE.

One Direction in March 2012.John Shearer/Getty

John Shearer/Getty

Cher Lloyd, who finished in fourth place on season 7 ofThe X Factorbehind One Direction, posted a throwback photo of herself with Payne toInstagramand wrote, “From being on the show together, visiting each others homes while filming, going on tour together and watching you achieve your dreams.”

“I’ll cherish the memories made and the laughs we had. My thoughts are with your family and friends, with everyone who loves you,” added the “Want U Back” singer. “My heart is breaking for your Son Bear. Rest in peace Liam.”

Olly Murs, who opened for One Direction’s Up All Night Tour in 2012, shared an image of himself laughing with Payne toInstagramalongside the caption, “This news is devastating, am lost for words.”

The “Troublemaker” artist added, “we always had a good laugh when we saw each other, sometimes the catch ups were only short and sweet but when we did it was mostly about how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF days and the tour we shared together.”

“Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad,” concluded Murs.

One Direction in August 2013.Jo Hale/Redferns via Getty

Jo Hale/Redferns via Getty

Helene Horlyck, the “Story of My Life” group’s former vocal coach, said her “heart is heavy” as she took toInstagramand shared a heartfelt note about Payne’s life.

“Liam was the loveliest young man who just loved to sing. He was only a teenager when I met him and One Direction was formed. His talent and professionalism had a big impact on the band especially in the early days as Liam always strived for the best during all of our sessions,” she wrote.

Horlyck added, “Liam was fun and a joy to spend time with, he even re named some of my vocal exercises as he had such a wonderful sense of humour and upbeat energy. I will always remember Liam as a polite young man who was caring and kind. Whenever my son Cai would join the world tours Liam would invite him along on his tourbus, sit and play video games with him, make sure he was OK, such a person was Liam, warm and friendly.”

Liam Payne in January 2018.Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

“Thank you for all the wonderful years dear Liam, you will forever be in my heart and your voice will live on, not only in my memories but also in the incredible songs. Rest in peace sweet darling,” she concluded.

One Direction’s hair and makeup artist, Lou Teasdale, shared multiple posts about Payne. “i hope you’re all ok,” she wrote on herInstagram Stories, before sharing a video of the “Best Song Ever” band performing alongside the caption, “forever.”

Sarah Nicholas, who catered One Direction’s tours, shared a broken heart illustration toInstagram.

Josh Devine, a drummer for the group, took to hisInstagram Storiesand wrote about the “heartbreaking news” of Payne’s death.

“I just pray for Liams [sic] family, and all that knew and loved him. Some of my fav memories in life were because of this man. No words,” said Devine.

James “J.D.” Woolsey, who worked as a bodyguard for One Direction, shared emojis of a broken heart, prayer hands and a dove toInstagramalongside an image of Payne with bandmateLouis Tomlinson.

One Direction in November 2014.Kevin Mazur/AMA2014/WireImage

Kevin Mazur/AMA2014/WireImage

One Direction tourmate 5 Seconds of Summer’s former sound engineer, John Delf, who now works with Tomlinson, 32, posted a picture of the two musicians onInstagramand wrote, “There are literally no words to say how tragic this is. RIP Liam.”

Dan Richards, a guitar player for the “What Makes You Beautiful” band, wrote on hisInstagram Stories, “This all feels so surreal. Thanks to everyone reaching out, still trying to wrap my head around it all. My thoughts go out to Liams [sic] family at this time.”

One Direction in October 2011.Dave Hogan/Getty

Dave Hogan/Getty

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Singer Sinitta, a friend ofSimon Cowell’s who sat in on One Direction’s firstX Factorperformance as a group, shared a photo with Payne toInstagramand wrote, “My heart is broken.”

“You were such a determined and talented boy and so Beautiful. You Had fire in your eyes and passion in your soul. You KNEW you were The One,” she said. “I hope your death teaches us to Pray for all of our young Super Stars. So that we can protect you better.”

Sinitta added, “We build you up and applaud you while you fly, we need to pray for safe We build you up and applaud you while you fly, we need to pray for safe landings when your wings are broken and help you heal.”

“I will miss you Sweet Sweet Beautiful Boy. Rest in Peace. You are So loved,” continued the musician, before sending prayers to Payne’s family, his exCheryland the other One Direction members, plus his friends and family.

One Direction in March 2012.George Pimentel/WireImage

George Pimentel/WireImage

Greg Horan, brother of Payne’s One Direction bandmate Niall, took toInstagramand said the “Get Low” performer was “one of 4 lads I was happy enough to take my place in nialls life as a brother,” referring to Tomlinson,Harry StylesandZayn Malik.

He recalled meeting Payne and the other band members as “5 families” before becoming “one big” One Direction “family,” adding, “thank you for all the laughs bro.”

One Direction choreographer Paul Roberts shared an image of a black heart toInstagramand wrote, “Sweet, kind Liam. Love is all I have… Such a sad sad day for our 1D family.”

Jon Shone, a keyboardist and music director for the “Little Things” band, wrote an emotional note onInstagram. “It is always difficult to put into words the feelings in your heart when you loose someone that you shared such amazing memories with,” he said.

“So I want to say thank you. Thank you for the wonderful memories of being in this band with you, for the nights I got to play your music, to the nights we sat with a beer talking about how crazy the whole thing was,” added Shone. “My heart goes out to the whole family, the wider 1D family, and everyone who knew Liam.”

One Direction in April 2012.Sam Ruttyn/Newspix/Getty

Sam Ruttyn/Newspix/Getty

He concluded, “I hope your mind is now calm and that you can sing the songs you love in peace and serenity in the paradise of heaven. Love always.”

Sandy Beales, who played bass for One Direction, expressed “love” for Payne in a note shared toInstagram. “Words won’t ever fully do you justice but thank you. For everything,” he wrote.

“Always so full of life and always up for a laugh, insanely talented and charismatic on stage, it was a pleasure and an honour to stand up there with you,” continued Beales. “It felt like we all grew up together on the road, even when theatres turned in to stadiums you and the lads would still have time for everyone in the crew and we felt the love on that wild, crazy, life changing ride.““It’s hard to think that there won’t be a chance to reminisce on those crazy times,” added the bassist. “Huge love and strength to Liam’s family and the 1D boys at this horrific time. We are all thinking of you!”

Liam Payne in December 2022.Mike Marsland/WireImage

Mike Marsland/WireImage

Payne “jumped from the balcony” of his hotel room beforehis death, local authorities confirmed to PEOPLE.

Police had been called to the scene shortly after 5 p.m. local time and Payne was said to have died shortly afterward.

An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, local police told PEOPLE, adding that an autopsy will be conducted.

source: people.com