Liam Payne was determined to perform for fans and was ‘in talks for a 2025 tour’ before his death

Liam Payne was in talks for a 2025 tour before his death, despite concerns from friends about his mental health.

The One Direction star was reportedly in negotiations for a series of live dates next year, but friends were concerned he wouldn’t be able to handle the time on the road.

A source said The mirror: ‘When it emerged that Liam had been talking to new people about a series of dates, there was great concern among his friends that this was a bad idea.

“Liam broke away from his management about six months ago and that wouldn’t have been something they would have recommended at this point.”

‘Being on the road can be incredibly demanding and Liam was not at his best mentally.’

In August 2023, Liam’s followers shared their concerns after he canceled his tour of South America after being hospitalized with a kidney infection.

Insiders were also reportedly concerned about Liam’s decision to star in a Netflix show, which he filmed over six weeks over the summer.

Liam was a mentor on the big new talent show Building the Band, which the streaming service describes as ‘an unscripted series that brought together fifty singers who try to form their own band without ever having met each other.’

Netflix has not indicated whether the series, which also stars Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger, Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean, will still air.

The series would have completed filming with three live shows, filmed in front of an audience at Aviva Studios in Manchester in August.

AJ shared a tribute to Liam following his death last week, writing: ‘Words cannot express the pain I have for this man and the great loss we have endured! We became very close almost immediately and shared so many stories, laughter and life experiences. Gone far too soon, my friend.’

He also told TMZ how “we spent six weeks together, and you know, it’s absolutely tragic. I’m still processing it.’

The One Direction star was reportedly in negotiations for a series of live dates next year, but friends were concerned he wouldn’t be able to handle the time on the road (pictured days before his death in Buenos Aires)

Insiders were also reportedly concerned about Liam’s decision to star in a Netflix show, which he filmed over six weeks in the summer.

More than 65,000 people have signed a petition calling for new legislation, known as ‘Liam’s Law’, to protect the mental health of artists in the music industry following Liam’s death.

The former One Direction star fell from the third floor of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires last Wednesday evening before medics confirmed his death.

The proposed law would mandate regular mental health checks, adequate rest periods and the availability of mental health professionals on set, as well as ongoing support throughout an artist’s career.

The petition, launched anonymously on October 18 by a fan named Day KV on Change.org, states: “The entertainment industry must be held accountable and take responsibility for the well-being of its artists.

‘The resulting problems such as stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse and even suicide are at alarming levels.

‘According to research, artists are two to three times more likely to suffer from these problems than the general population.’

Netflix has not indicated whether the series, which also stars Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger, Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean, will still air (photo AJ and Liam during filming)

AJ shared a tribute to Liam after his death last week, writing: ‘Words cannot express the pain I have for this man and the great loss we have endured!’

‘Such a law would require regular mental health checks, adequate rest periods and the presence of mental health professionals on site, including any ongoing support during their careers.

‘It will provide a healthier, safer and more conducive working environment for artists to cultivate their talents and reduce psychological problems.

‘This includes early interventions to protect and minimize before it is too late. It adds: ‘Your signature could provide a lifeline to these talented individuals, contributing to a greater movement of mental health awareness and care in industries around the world.

“Please sign the petition.”