Stars pay tribute to One Direction star Liam Payne after 'gut-wrenching' death

Tributes have been pouring in after the death of One Direction star Liam Payne. 

The 31-year-old singer died outside a hotel in Argentina's capital, after falling from the third floor, police said.

He rose to fame after appearing on The X Factor in 2010, where the world-famous boy band was formed.

TV presenter Dermot O'Leary, who presented the show at the time, called it "the worst news".

Alongside a photo of O'Leary and Payne standing on stage together, he wrote on Instagram: "The worst news. 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."

Singer Olly Murs starred on The X Factor a year before One Direction and described Payne's death as "devastating" on Instagram.

"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," he wrote.

Singer Charlie Puth, who collaborated with Payne on the track Bedroom Floor, posted on Instagram: "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 cannot believe he is gone."

Latest updates: Former One Direction star found dead at hotel

The Wanted star Max George competed on The X Factor with One Direction. He described Payne's death as "absolutely devastating news" on Instagram.

"Over the last few years I had the pleasure of getting to know him personally and spent some treasured time with him," he said.

Read more: What we know so far

"He supported me a lot personally after Tom passed. I will never forget that," said George.

Payne attended the funeral of The Wanted star Tom Parker, who died in March 2022 at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

Former X Factor contestant Rylan said Payne's death was "so tragic", while X Factor singing duo Jedward sent their love to his six-year-old son.

"Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear, and all the One Direction family," they wrote on X.

Jack Johnson, one half of American rap duo Jack & Jack, called out social media users for their treatment of the former One Direction star.

"If this Liam Payne news is true that s**t is honestly so gut-wrenching... was such a nice guy the few times me and G ran into him, f*** the Internet for being so ruthless over the past few months," he wrote on X.

Anne Twist, the mother of former bandmate Harry Styles, posted a broken heart emoji on Instagram with the caption: "Just a boy..."

Meanwhile, socialite Paris Hilton called the singer's death "so upsetting" in a post on X. "Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones," she wrote.

(c) Sky News 2024: Stars pay tribute to One Direction star Liam Payne after 'gut-wrenching' death