What we know so far
Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died at the age of 31.
The singer was in Argentina when he was found dead by police.
What happened?
Local police said Payne had fallen from the third floor of a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening.
He is said to have suffered “extremely serious injuries”.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne fell into a courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood.
He declined to answer further questions about the incident, including whether Payne jumped from the balcony or fell by accident.
Pablo Policicchio, a spokesperson for the security ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said police were called to the hotel in response to an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.
Payne’s social media post hours before death
Payne had posted on Snapchat in the past few hours, saying it was a “lovely day here in Argentina”.
“Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it’s like 1pm,” he said. “Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We’re such losers.”
The star spoke about “going to ride some horses” and said: “Think I’m going to play polo again which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks.”
“It’s going to be a nice day,” he added.
It was not clear when the videos were filmed, but were posted hours before his death.
Argentinian media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.
He was seen dancing at his show two weeks ago at the Movistar Arena alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
Payne leaves behind six-year-old son with Cheryl Tweedy
Liam Payne leaves behind a six-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with Cheryl Tweedy.
Tweedy, previously of Girls Aloud fame, was one of the judges when Payne first auditioned for the X Factor in 2008 at the age of 14.
“I think you’ve got charisma,” she told him, after he performed the jazz standard Fly Me To The Moon. “I think you’re really cute.”
The pair began dating in 2016 after Tweedy’s divorce from French restaurateur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini.
She gave birth to their son on 22 March 2017. The couple split in 2018.
Jedward, Rylan and Paris Hilton lead early tributes
Liam Payne’s fellow X-Factor contestants Jedward have given their reaction to the news of the singer’s death.
The double-act posted on X, sending strength to Payne’s former partner Cheryl Cole and their son Bear.
Paris Hilton also shared her condolences on X.
“So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing,” she wrote.
“Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP my friend.”
Rylan Clark, who appeared on series 12 of the X Factor, described the news as “tragic”.
iHeart Radio station, which Payne had previously appeared on, said: “We are extremely shocked and heartbroken to hear this news. Sending our love to his family, friends and fans around the world.”
Fans across the globe ‘will be in shock and disarray’
Fans of Liam Payne around the world will be “in a state of absolute shock and disarray” at tonight’s news, says music journalist Eve Barlow.
She says the star’s death at the age of 31 in what she describes as “bizarre circumstances” is “truly an enormous shock”.
“I don’t think any any of us were expecting to receive news like this,” she tells Sky News.
“It feels like such an unbelievable waste of life, 31 is no age for a young, talented man with a huge future ahead of him to die in such circumstances,” Ms Barlow adds.
She says the One Direction fanbase was one of the most “extraordinary” and “dedicated” she has ever known.
“I’m sure that fans the world over will be in a state of absolute shock, and in disarray over this obscenely terrible news,” says Ms Barlow.
