Ex-One Direction bandmates grieve Liam Payne's passing: 'His absence will be deeply felt'

Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson, all formerly of the renowned pop ensemble One Direction, expressed profound sorrow upon learning of the passing of their ex-bandmate, Liam Payne, whom they regarded as a "brother."

In a heartfelt statement shared on the band's Instagram on Thursday, they remarked, "The moments we lived with him will remain etched in our memories forever. Presently, our hearts go out to his loved ones, friends, and the multitude of fans who cherished him alongside us. We shall miss him dearly. We love you, Liam."

Their message continued, "In due course, and when the time is right, more will be said. For now, we need time to mourn and come to terms with the loss of our beloved brother."

Payne tragically passed away on Wednesday after a fall from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 31. The local authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his untimely demise.

Styles, in a separate Instagram statement, expressed his devastation, saying, "Liam's greatest joy was bringing happiness to others, and sharing that journey with him was a privilege. He lived with an open heart, exuding an infectious zest for life."

He fondly recalled his years with Payne, who he described as "warm, supportive, and incredibly loving," as some of the most treasured of his life.

Tomlinson also paid homage to Payne in his own Instagram post, expressing he was "beyond devastated" over the loss of someone he considered "a brother." He admired Payne's positivity, humor, and kindness, declaring him an integral part of One Direction due to his early experience, impeccable pitch, stage presence, and songwriting prowess. "Thank you for shaping us, Liam," he concluded.

Tomlinson ended his tribute with a touching reference to Payne’s son, promising, "I want Bear to know that he can always count on me as an uncle in his life, and I'll regale him with tales of his wonderful father."

Malik, too, shared his sentiments on Instagram, wishing for one last embrace with Payne. He reminisced about Payne providing comfort and camaraderie when he felt homesick at 17, praising his friend’s sensible nature and forthrightness, qualities he secretly admired despite occasional disagreements.

Reflecting on their complex history, Payne had previously acknowledged tensions with Malik during a 2022 podcast, later offering an apology in a 2023 YouTube video.

One Direction's rise to stardom commenced in 2010, orchestrated by producer Simon Cowell during their auditions for the UK’s “The X-Factor.” Their debut four albums achieved unprecedented success, landing the No. 1 spot on Billboard 200, bolstered by hits like “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Best Song Ever,” and “Story of My Life.” They remain one of the top-selling boy bands, with over 70 million records sold globally.

After Malik's departure in 2015, the group announced an "indefinite hiatus" in 2016. Each member embarked on solo careers, including Payne, whose latest single "Teardrops" was released in March.

Despite evolving relationships, Payne endeavored to maintain ties with his former bandmates while confronting personal battles with addiction and mental health, openly discussing these struggles. He acknowledged the unwavering support of his bandmates, remarking, "I wouldn’t be here without the boys."

In the weeks prior to his passing, Payne was seen enjoying Horan’s concert in Argentina, sharing videos of the event on Snapchat.

Worldwide, fans have been mourning and honoring Payne, leaving tributes at the iconic red phone booth featured on One Direction’s “Take Me Home” album cover, as reported by The Independent.

Payne's family expressed their profound grief in a statement, describing him as a "kind, funny, and brave soul" and requesting privacy during this difficult time.

Following Payne's death, "Britain’s Got Talent," co-created by Cowell, postponed auditions. Fremantle UK, responsible for the show, conveyed their condolences to Payne's family and friends in a statement.

This story is ongoing and will be updated as more information becomes available.