LIAM Payne’s sister has called him ‘her angel’ in an emotional tribute saying ‘we will make sure Bear knows about his daddy.’
Former One Direction star Liam died after falling 45ft from his hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires at 5.04pm on Wednesday afternoon.
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And his sister Nicola has now paid tribute in a poignant message to her brother.
Nicola wrote: “I have posted about Liam and his achievements over the years with a proud sister alert and that has stood then, now and always!!!
“I have spent days hoping that it was a mistake and somebody has got it wrong. You were truly too good for this earth, you are an angel who just lived for making people smile and happy.
“You have always shown kindness to everyone you met and it shows with just how many people have confirmed what we always knew!
“We don’t have many pictures together as we never really did that as a family, we never wanted you to feel like you were in a room of fans, but we were your biggest fans always and forever.
“Your talent alone puts you miles ahead, but you also being you.”
Nicola went on: “I have been looking back at the messages from the night I had Ffion, how excited you were to meet her, the jokes we all shared and the laughter that you knew we all needed.
“You led your life with a motto of why bother doing something unless you are brilliant at it, and Liam you were certainly brilliant at everything you did!! Unfortunately this cruel world is always to quick to judge someone from a few 5 second clips, they even think it entitles them to be able to speak like they know you.
“We knew you and we loved you.”
She finished by writing: “I hope you have finally found peace up there and that you’ll continue to look after us all as you have done in life.
“We will make sure Bear knows about his daddy and how much you loved him, we promise this.
“See you soon Liam, Love You xx.”
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “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 x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”
Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.
She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.
Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.
Liam’s sister Nicola also shared that she found out about her brother’s death via a news alert, writing in her tribute: “When I saw the news pop up on my phone that you had left us I went cold, I wanted so much for this to be untrue.”
After the message, Nicola shared a string of bittersweet images with Liam – with one smiling selfie, to Liam with his niece, and performing on stage with One Direction.
She also shared a family selfie which saw Liam in the middle, surrounded by his two sisters and mum and dad.
Fans rushed to support Nicola as she shared images and her tribute to Liam.
Liam’s father Geoff Payne is currently in the Argentinian capital organising plans to repatriate his son’s body.
Geoff, who lives with Liam’s mum Karen in Wolverhampton, visited Casa Sur Hotel, the hotel where Liam had been staying on Friday.
He thanked fans who had gathered outside the hotel for their kind words and viewed tributes that had been left to the star.
The family are now working to bring Liam’s body home once a post-mortem is complete.
There are no direct flights between Buenos Aires and London, but the family are said to want as few stops as possible.
The One Direction singer’s sibling Ruth Gibbins has also posted a tribute following the devastating news of Liam’s death.
Ruth shared a lengthy testimonial to her Instagram page, including a message directly addressing the Little Things singer where she said: “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
Ruth, 33, recalled their happy memories together in the message, before uploading a bittersweet series of images showing their strong bond.
In her emotional message – which came after Liam, 31, passed in Argentina – she also addressed the dad-of-one’s son Bear, aged seven, who he shares with popstar Cheryl, and insisted “we’ll take care of him.”
FAMILY STATEMENT
The singer’s dad and mum Karen, as well as sisters Ruth and Nicola released a family statement on the tragedy last week.
It read: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
TRAGIC PASSING
Liam was in Buenos Aires for pal Niall Horan’s tour when he tragically plunged from the third floor on Wednesday afternoon.
A source confirmed to The Sun that Liam has died.
Liam shared a post on Snapchat only minutes before his death and showed him and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy looking into a mirror.
The singer-songwriter was staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo.
Crowds of heartbroken fans have gathered behind a cordon outside the accommodation to pay tribute to the star.
The star’s cause of death has since been revealed as well as Liam’s tragic final hours.
A GoFundMe page in aid of The Trussell Trust – a charity close to Liam’s heart – has now been launched.
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