Niall Horan has said he will “cherish every moment” he had with Liam Payne “forever” following the death of his One Direction bandmate.
Payne, who rose to fame with the boy band on The X Factor, died after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
“I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real”, Horan wrote in an Instagram post.
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“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.
“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.”
Payne is said to have been in Buenos Aires to attend one of Horan's concerts, having been seen dancing at his show two weeks ago at the Movistar Arena alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
Horan continued: “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.”
The singer also sent his “love and condolences” to Payne’s family and his son Bear, who he shared with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl.
He signed off the statement saying: “Thank you for everything, Payno. Love you brother. Nialler.”
Payno is what the members of One Direction and fans alike used to affectionately call Payne during his time in the boyband, while Horan was often referred to as Nialler.
Joint statement
Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates released a joint statement on Thursday night which said they are “completely devastated” and will miss the singer “terribly”.
A statement signed by Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan said: “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. It was signed in order of age.
“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say," it read.
“But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.
“For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
“We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
Meanwhile, members of the former boyband also paid tribute to Payne in separate, personal Instagram posts.
Louis Tomlinson
Tomlinson, 32, said in his statement: “I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.
“I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.
“Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.
“And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.
“A message to you Liam if you’re listening,
“I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours , reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.
“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
“I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.
“Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X”.
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Zayn Malik
Zayn Malik also wrote his touching tribute on Instagram: “Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.”
“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.”
“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f**ks about telling people when they were wrong.”
“Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.”
“When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, l was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.”
“I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.”
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.”
“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated.”
“I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro”
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Harry Styles
Harry Styles said the years he spent with his One Direction bandmate Liam Payne “will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life” following the singer’s death.
“I will miss him always, my lovely friend,” three-time Grammy winner Styles said in a statement on Instagram.
In his statement, Styles said Payne’s “greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it”.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious,” he said.
“He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.
“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life.”
Styles said his “heart breaks” for Payne’s family and his seven-year-old son Bear, who he shared with his former partner, Girls Aloud singer Cheryl.
Styles signed the statement from "Harry," veering away from his usual signature of "H" which he adopted during his solo career.
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