Liam Payne's Dad Engages Fans as Cheryl Shares

Liam Payne’s father, Geoff Payne, visited the hotel where his son died, encountering a swarm of photographers as fans attempted to shield him from the media. Liam, 31, tragically fell from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday. Geoff’s journey from his hotel to the Casa Sur hotel was even broadcast on Argentine television, despite the family’s calls for privacy.

Cheryl, Liam’s former partner, expressed her grief on Instagram, stating that their son Bear must now “face the reality of never seeing his father again.” She criticized the “abhorrent” media coverage surrounding his death and shared a poignant black-and-white photo of Liam with Bear, accompanied by a broken heart emoji. Cheryl emphasized the humanity lost in this tragedy as she navigates her own overwhelming sorrow.

Liam Payne Remembered as “Best Friend” by Sister Ruth Gibbins

Liam Payne’s sister, Ruth Gibbins, shared an emotional Instagram post calling him her “best friend” and vowed that the family would take care of Bear. She expressed confusion and sorrow over his loss, saying, “My brain is struggling to catch up with what’s happening.”

Cheryl also voiced her concerns about the harmful media coverage, noting that her seven-year-old son could eventually see these reports. She pleaded for people to think about the impact of their comments and to allow Liam some dignity in death, urging that he be given peace at last.

Geoff Payne paused to read tributes to his son outside the Casa Sur hotel, thanking the gathered fans who created a barrier to protect his space from cameras. Bianca Gallorini, who helped organize the barrier, said fans wanted to give Mr. Payne a moment to express his feelings and show their love for him. Earlier, Mr. Payne visited the morgue in Buenos Aires to officially identify his son, allowing for arrangements to repatriate his body to the UK. A federal prosecutor confirmed that his body has been released for identification, while an investigation into his death continues.

Vigils were held by fans in Liverpool and Wolverhampton to mourn the One Direction singer. Simon Cowell, who formed the group on The X Factor, expressed his heartbreak and described Liam as kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, and talented.

Instagram post

In an Instagram post, Simon Cowell expressed his love and respect for Liam Payne, saying that every tear he sheds is a memory of him. Liam’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, also honored him, calling him “my angel” and stating that she was “at a complete loss.” She emphasized her unconditional love for him, saying, “I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”

In his statement, Simon Cowell remembered Liam Payne’s first X Factor audition at age 14, when he advised him to return in two years. He praised his determination, noting that he didn’t give up and soon became famous while always caring for his fans. Cowell signed One Direction to his label, leading to their global success until their split in 2016.

Cowell also shared that Liam visited him last year just to talk and reminisce about their fun times. Liam’s bandmate, Niall Horan, expressed his devastation over the loss of his “amazing friend.” Singer Katie Waissel criticized the music industry for being manipulative and damaging, while Bruce Springsteen commented on the immense pressures young artists face, reflecting on his own experiences in the industry.