Liam Payne and Niall Horan’s bond was ‘unbreakable’ after former One Direction bandmates reunited
Former One Direction bandmates Niall Horan and Liam Payne shared an “unbreakable bond”, ending their friendship “on a good note” before Payne’s untimely death, a source has revealed.
The 31-year-old singer tragically collapsed from the third floor of the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires yesterday, prompting an outpouring of tributes from around the world.
Payne had attended Horan’s concert in Argentina on October 2, with an insider exclusively telling DailyMail.com that there was ‘nothing but love’ between the pair.
“Liam had been on a hiatus from music in recent years and hadn’t really been focused on his career since 2022,” the source explains.
They continued, “He was determined to get better and stay sober the following year.”
Liam Payne had attended Niall Horan’s concert in Argentina just before he died, with an insider exclusively telling DailyMail.com that there was ‘nothing but love’ between the pair
The insider admitted that Payne found it difficult to see his former bandmates flourish after the band went on indefinite hiatus in 2016.
‘It [their success] “I ended up with him, and that’s understandable,” they explained.
‘When Liam attended Niall’s show earlier this month he just wanted to tell him he was proud of him, and it was genuine.’
The source added that they had a chance to spend some time together, and “at the end there was nothing but love between them.”
“Niall was so grateful that he came to support him and his music,” she added.
“Their bond was ultimately unbreakable and their friendship ended on a good note, so to speak.”
The insider added that Payne’s death is “unfathomable to everyone who knew and loved Liam.”
Just days before his death, Payne had told fans that he and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 37, were going to the Latin American country “because they want to” and also because he would “like to work out a few things” with his former bandmate. .
The insider admitted that Payne found it difficult to see his former bandmates flourish after the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, but Payne and Horan recently reunited (pictured in 2017)
During their time as a band, One Direction won five Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, amassed more than three billion YouTube views and sold 50 million records worldwide. (L-R) Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne
Liam Payne shared a terrifying final post on social media with his girlfriend just minutes before he died aged 31
Another tragic selfie was captioned: ‘Beautiful day in Argentina’
The Night Changes singer was recently spotted at his former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert in the country earlier this month – pictured in March 2024
Payne’s relatives said in an emotional statement: ‘We are heartbroken. Liam will live on in our hearts forever and we will remember him for his kind, funny and courageous soul
The singer had documented his evening in a series of photos on Snapchat, ending with a selfie of himself and Horan captioned: “Reunited,” with a love heart emoji.
Payne’s former bandmates have said they will miss the singer “terribly” and that it will take some time to “mourn and process” the loss.
“We are completely devastated by the news of Liam’s death,” read a statement on the channel’s website One Direction Instagram read.
‘In time, and when everyone is able, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, whom we loved dearly.
“The memories we shared with him will be cherished 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,” they concluded the message, signing it: “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
Police investigating the One Direction star’s sudden death are looking for two ‘key witnesses’ who could be among the last people to see him alive.
The singer died instantly after suffering multiple injuries that led to ‘internal and external bleeding’.
Payne’s family today described feeling ‘heartbroken’ by his tragic and untimely death, adding that the former One Direction star will ‘live on in our hearts forever’.
Payne’s relatives said in an emotional statement: ‘We are heartbroken. Liam will live on in our hearts forever and we will remember him for his kind, funny and courageous soul.
‘We support each other as a family as best we can and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time.’
During their time as a band, One Direction won five Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, amassed more than three billion YouTube views and sold 50 million records worldwide.
After releasing five albums with one of the biggest boy bands of all time, Liam released his first solo album in 2019, titled LP1.
His single Strip That Down, co-written with Ed Sheeran, climbed to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that same year.
Over the course of his music career, the pop star has collaborated with J Balvin, French Montana, Dixie D’Amelio and A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, among others.
He previously dated British pop sensation Cheryl Cole and the couple welcomed their son Bear Gray on March 22, 2017.