Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmates have said they are “devastated” over the singer’s sudden death, aged 31, after he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
Payne, who shot to fame after joining the pop group on reality TV contest The X Factor in 2010 along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, was described as a “kind, funny and brave soul” in a tribute from his surviving bandmates.
Ed Sheeran, who collaborated with Payne on a number of occasions, also shared a brief tribute on Instagram as he admitted he was “at a loss for words” and asked his followers to “be kind”.
Payne’s cause of death was revealed in a preliminary autopsy on Thursday 17 October. Photos taken by officials of his hotel room showed it in a state of disarray, with a smashed TV screen and debris scattered around the surfaces.
Sharon Osbourne accuses music industry of ‘letting down’ Liam Payne in tribute to singer
Roisin O’Connor18 October 2024 10:41
Zayn Malik admits he and Liam Payne ‘butted heads’ in emotional tribute to late One Direction bandmate
Alongside a sweet photo of himself asleep in Payne’s lap on a tour bus, while Payne is also asleep slumped over on top of him, Malik wrote: “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***s 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.
Kevin EG Perry18 October 2024 10:21
BREAKING: Ed Sheeran ‘at a loss for words’ after death of Liam Payne
Ed Sheeran has shared a tribute on Instagram, writing: “At a loss for words. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones, every memory I have with him is a great one, just such a heartbreaking situation. Be kind. X”
Roisin O’Connor18 October 2024 10:10
All the tributes to Liam Payne so far
Family members, fellow stars, fans and admireres have paid tribute to Liam Payne following his sudden death aged 31.
Roisin O’Connor18 October 2024 10:01
David Beckham pays tribute to ‘kind and generous’ singer
David Beckham has shared a photo of him with late One Direction star Liam Payne at an event, writing: “Such [a] kind generous person and will be missed in so many ways.”
Roisin O’Connor18 October 2024 09:41
Liam Payne’s first television appearance aged 14
Roisin O’Connor18 October 2024 09:21
Liam Payne’s legal issues with ex-fiancée Maya Henry explained
Payne began dating the 23-year-old Texan model in 2019, becoming engaged the following year. By June 2021, the couple had decided to end their relationship, but rekindled later the same year before breaking off their engagement for a second and final time in May 2022.
Maira Butt18 October 2024 09:01
Zayn Malik’s tribute to Liam Payne in full
“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***s 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. I 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”
Roisin O’Connor18 October 2024 08:41
Liam Payne cause of death revealed in preliminary autopsy
Roisin O’Connor18 October 2024 08:21
Sharon Osbourne says ‘we all let you down’ in tribute to Liam Payne
“Liam, my heart aches,” Sharon Osbourne wrote in a tribute to Liam Payne on Instagram.
“We all let you down. Where was this industry when you needed them? You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner?
“Rest in peace my friend.”
Roisin O’Connor18 October 2024 08:03