LIAM Payne was secretly considering a One Direction reunion, his heartbroken girlfriend has revealed.
Kate Cassidy said the tragic star, 31, “loved them so much, was so proud of the boys” and hoped the band would reform.
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The group, which split ten years ago, will see their 20th anniversary in 2030.
She told The Sun: “One Direction was such a huge part of his life. He would have been more than happy in the future to do that.”
Influencer Kate, 25, also revealed she received death threats following Liam’s fatal hotel fall in Argentina.
But she said she got through the ordeal thanks to Liam’s advice: “Don’t let the haters get to you.”
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Devastated Kate also revealed how she got death threats and gold-digger jibes — and was forced to deleted her social media as trolls turned on her by making cruel comments about what she wore at his funeral.
But she said Liam’s experience in the showbiz world helped her to shrug off the abuse.
She told us: “One hate comment is equivalent to a hundred nice comments so it’s hard but I understand that.
“Liam would want me to be as strong as I can be, and just have a thick skin. That’s one thing he always taught me. He grew up in this life, and he always was just so positive about it and said, ‘Don’t let any hate get to you’.”
US influencer Kate is keen to praise the majority of kind One Direction fans who “have given me so much support and love”.
It comes after Kate broke her silence about the One Direction star’s final days — and her regret at leaving him alone before his death.
Kate hit back at critics who accused her of abandoning Liam in Argentina where he fell to his death from a hotel balcony last October.
In her first global interview since the tragedy, Kate reveals her final message to the One Direction superstar — the “charming soulmate” she planned to marry.
Kate told The Sun: “Love is so optimistic, and you just hope that everything will work out at the end. Obviously if I knew, if I could see into the future, I would never have left Argentina.”
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
She debunked internet conspiracy theories that she’d returned to their Florida home after a break-up and rows — explaining she dashed back to look after their rescue dog, Nala.
Kate, who has two angel wings inked on her finger to signify her guardian angel Liam, has turned to Nala for comfort amid her grief.
Pals previously said: “Nala is also a huge source of comfort. In many ways, she’s all Kate has left of Liam.”
The couple had travelled to Argentina as Liam looked to update his US visa and to see old One Direction pal Niall Horan in concert.
But tragic Liam, who was dad to son Bear with former partner Cheryl, suffered “multiple traumas” in a fall from the balcony of the luxury Casa Sur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16.
‘AMAZING FRIEND’
Devastated bandmate Niall paid tribute to his “amazing friend” after his death.
Liam, 31, attended one of Niall’s shows on October 2 in Buenos Aires, and was filmed dancing before greeting adoring fans.
The pair later shared backstage selfies – with Niall, also 31, seen grinning broadly.
And paying tribute in the days after Liam’s death on October 16, Niall said: “I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
‘LIVE OUT WILDEST DREAMS TOGETHER’
“All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
“We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.
“I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.
“My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.”
Fellow former ID stars Harry Styles, 30, Louis Tomlinson, 32, and Zayn Malik, 31, also expressed their grief in equally heartbreaking posts.
“Liam would want me to be as strong as I can be, and just have a thick skin. That’s one thing he always taught me. He grew up in this life, and he always was just so positive about it and said, ‘Don’t let any hate get to you’.”
Kate Cassidy
Harry shared a picture of dad-of-one Liam alongside a heartfelt statement that said his “greatest joy was making other people happy”.
Louis, meanwhile, said he was “beyond devastated” after losing his “brother”.
“Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” he said, adding that the tragic star was the “most vital part” of One Direction.
Zayn shared a photo of him and Liam embracing in the back of a car during their early band days.
He said he “can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives”.
FUNERAL REUNION
The singer, who left the band first in 2016 – months before the remaining members decided to go on an indefinite hiatus – said they often “butted heads” but he had a profound respect for Liam.
The four remaining bandmates reunited at Liam’s private funeral in November.
And 1D’s fans’ hopes for a reunion were bolstered last month as Zayn was joined by a former bandmate at his solo gig in LA.
Louis blended in with the crowd to watch Zayn perform his smooth R&B, but word quickly reached the singer that his friend was in attendance.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.”
Niall Horan
He told the crowd: “Alright so tonight’s kind of special, I know a friend of mine is here to support me tonight, he’s somewhere here I don’t want to give his location away but Louis’ here…”
There are also murmurings that the 1D lads could get together at the Brit Awards to honour their late friend.
TRIBUTE PLAN
A music industry source said: “The tribute to Liam at this year’s awards show has caused a real buzz and speculation that the remaining One Direction bandmates could finally come back together again on stage.
“It would be an entirely fitting way to honour Liam and talks are already under way about how to make this segment of the Brits unforgettable.
“Liam loved the Brit Awards and attended and performed many times over the years, both with 1D and as a solo artist, and will forever be part of the show’s history.
“It’s still in the very early stages of preparation and the finer details are still being worked out, with official approaches to be made in coming weeks, but there are set to be a mixture of performances, tasteful photo and video montages and a live orchestra.
“As well as the possibility of the One Direction lads being involved, other stars from the industry will be on hand to remember Liam on the night.”
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