One Direction have shared a joint statement following the death of Liam Payne, 31.
The former bandmates have shared they are “completely devastated” as they added: “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.”
In a statement signed by “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry”, Payne’s One Direction bandmates penned: “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing.
“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
“”The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
The statement comes one day after the 31-year-old fell to his death from the balcony of an Argentinian hotel.
Louis Tomlinson also shared his own statement on Instagram, writing: “I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.
“I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for. Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.
“And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.”
Liam Payne died on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina
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Alberto Crescenti, the city’s ambulance service provider spokesman, told the media shortly after: “The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at Casa Sur.
“At 5″11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead.
“Our role was to head there quickly, give medical attention, and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were incompatible with life.
“Based on what the team saw, there was apparently a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death.”
“Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal.
“There was no possibility of resuscitating him.”
It came after police in Buenos Aires stated responders first arrived at the hotel in response to reports “of an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol”.
One Direction have issued a statement following Liam Payne’s death
Getty
While tributes have been flooding in all day, Payne’s family said in a statement issued by his spokeswoman earlier on Thursday: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Payne, along with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan, shot to fame in 2011 with the formation of their band, One Direction, created by Simon Cowell on the X Factor.
As famous faces took to social media to shares messages of support and sadness over the tragedy, some also took the opportunity to illustrate issues in the music industry.
Some cryptic messages were left in tributes from other former X Factor contestants, with one going as far as to warn the music mogul not to speak out about Payne’s death.
Katie Waissel also sent a clear message to music mogul Cowell as she penned: “”My heart is completely torn to shreds right now, I am at an absolute loss for words.
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911 CALL
LISTEN HERE: Translated transcript of emergency 911 call from staff in Liam Payne’s Argentinian hotel
“If Simon Cowell dare put a statement out on the heart wrenching, tragic loss of my dear and darling friend Liam, he would be a fool.
We all know the truth… and I’ll be sure it all comes out. #justiceforliam.”
Another X Factor star, Rebecca Ferguson, issued a heartfelt tribute to Payne where she also noted the “exploitation and profiteering of young stars”.
While Cowell, 65, hasn’t issued any public response himself, he is said to be “shocked and devastated”.
The TV personalty had been in the midst of filming for Britain’s Got Talent auditions but they were halted on Wednesday in light of the news.
In a shock move, it was announced on Thursday Cowell had decided to “step down” from his role on the show for good following the tragedy.