The singer Liam Payne — famous for performing with boyband One Direction — has died at age 31.
Payne was found dead outside a hotel in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires. It is
believed that he fell from the third-floor balcony. Police say the fall happened at around 5pm, local time, on Wednesday afternoon.
Payne, who hailed from Wolverhampton, shot to fame in 2010 as part of the pop group One Direction, which was formed during the televised talent show The X Factor. Payne auditioned individually — as did his bandmates Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson — but they were brought together at the behest of judges Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell.
With One Direction, Payne released a string of hit singles — including “What Makes
You Beautiful”, “Live While We’re Young”, and “Story of My Life” — and five studio
albums: all went platinum, with the first four all topping the US Billboard charts, a feat no group has replicated since. Payne embarked on a solo career in 2015 when the band dissolved. His single “Strip That Down” sold over 11.5 million copies, and charted at #3 on the UK charts as well as reaching the US top ten.
Payne’s last public appearance was at former bandmate Horan’s concert in Buenos Aires, where he was seen dancing by fans. He leaves behind a seven year old son, Bear, his partner, Kate Cassidy, his parents, and two sisters.
In the months before Payne’s death, Payne’s ex-fiancée Maya Henry has stepped forward with serious allegations of abuse she suffered during her relationship with Payne. Henry’s recent book contains stories of abusive behaviour, and Henry has issued Payne with a cease and desist letter due to his “obsessive contact”.
This is a developing story.
You’re not alone. Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline. 0808 2000 247. Call for free and in confidence, 24 hours a day: 0808 2000 247.
“Liam Payne” by Ashley Newby is licensed under CC BY 2.0.