A Tyrone man who was One Direction’s tour manager has travelled to Argentina with Liam Payne’s dad to organise the return of the star’s body.
Paul Higgins, who lives in Dungannon, accompanied Geoff Payne in Buenos Aires as they looked at tributes left by fans to his son outside the Casa Sur Hotel where the 31-year-old fell to his death from a third floor balcony on Wednesday.
Friends said the security specialist is devastated by the death of Liam who was a close friend and who he spent time with in both Northern Ireland and Saudi Arabia in the past year.
Liam Payne and Paul Higgins in Riyadh
Mr Higgins continued to work with the former One Direction singer as a security adviser, despite quitting as the band’s tour manager in 2014.
Last year, he posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) of him and Liam in Riyadh, saying: “Hanging out with the Boss @LiamPayne in Riyadh! What an experience we’ve just had!”
A founding director of the All Star Security firm, he has also worked with Boyzone, Westlife, Shayne Ward and YungBlud but his closeness to One Direction band members earned him the title of being the boys’ ‘second dad’ on tour.
Liam Payne’s father arrives in Argentina after singer’s death
Originally from Wicklow but living in Dungannon for many years, he travelled with the chart-topping band all over the world, with band members even attending his 2011 wedding in Carlingford to Tyrone woman Clodagh McGeary. The couple now have four children together.
The band even joined X Factor winner Shayne Ward for a marryoke performance of Black Eyed Peas’ floor-filler I Gotta Feelin’ during the celebrations.
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When asked for comment by Sunday Life about the star’s death, a spokesperson for Mr Higgins said: “At this time Paul has no further comment. Like the family, Paul is, himself, grieving and coming to terms with everything that has happened this week.”
Mr Higgins has also remained silent on social media since the pop star’s sudden death but several One Direction fans have paid tribute to the manager’s close relationship with Liam, who was pictured visiting Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Ballintoy, Co Antrim, last October.
One wrote on social media: “Paul Higgins being with Geoff is, once again, breaking something in me.
“He was more than their head security and tour manager, he was their on the road dad. And seeing him secure Geoff to his son when it used to be the other way around… absolutely gut wrenching.”
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On X another wrote: “Paul was and is still loved by directioners, seeing his reactions and gaze reminds me that he is also grieving and doing his job at the same time, protecting Liam’s family now… Paul Higgins, we love you. #RIPLiamPayne.”
Police in Buenos Aires are now said to be looking into a theory Liam was high on a potent substance known as Cristal, which can cause psychotic attacks.
Liam Payne uploaded a video to social media the same day he passed away
The musician was said to be acting “erratically” by hotel staff before he fell to his death from the third floor balcony. He had been in the country to watch former bandmate Niall Horan perform there earlier this month.
Yesterday Liam’s sister, Ruth Gibbins, said she does not feel “this world was good enough or kind enough” to him in a heartfelt tribute.
In a statement posted on Instagram, she revealed her brother’s ability to make her laugh is what she “loved most” about him, adding she was “in awe” of his talent.
She wrote: “My brain is struggling to catch up with what’s happening and I don’t understand where you’ve gone.
“What I love most about you is your ability to make me laugh, I never chuckle as much as I do when I’m with you.
“I’m always in awe of your talent, it should be illegal to be so talented and just have the ability to not only be good at things but be bloody great at everything you attempt, without even knowing you’re absolutely smashing it each time.”
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His grieving sister added: “I don’t feel this world was good enough or kind enough to you, and quite often over the last few years, you’ve had to really try hard to overcome all that was being aimed at you.
“You just wanted to be loved and to make people happy with your music. You never believed you were good enough, I hope you can now see this outpouring of love that you never received in your time. Thank you for changing my life, thank you for the incredible memories, thank you for being the best brother and friend I’ll ever have.
Former One Direction star Liam Payne visiting Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in 2023. Pic: Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge National Trust/Facebook
“Liam knew he could call me anytime, any day and I would pick up or that I would always fetch him if he needed to just come home.”
His sister Ruth also wrote: “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
Tributes have flooded in for Liam, including from his former partner, Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, his One Direction bandmates, his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, and music mogul Simon Cowell.
In her social media post, Ruth said that her family would “take care of Bear”, Liam and Cheryl’s seven-year-old son.