Scott Mills tears up as he admits Liam Payne’s death is ‘really hard to take’ in heartbreaking tribute to the star after his death aged 31

Scott Mills became emotional as he paid tribute to Liam Payne, saying his death was ‘very difficult to accept’.

The former One Direction star died on Wednesday after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur Palmero hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31.

The pop star reportedly arrived in the Latin American country earlier this month to attend his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s concert.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott, 51, said he ‘can’t bear that Liam’s story has ended here’ as he recalled the time he spent with the late singer over the years.

He opened his afternoon show on the channel by saying: ‘The tragic news about Liam Payne is very difficult to process because I never thought we would have to say goodbye to him so soon.

BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott, 51, said he ‘can’t bear that Liam’s story has ended here’ as he recalled the time he spent with the late singer over the years (pictured together in 2015 )

The former One Direction star died on Wednesday after falling from the third floor of the Casa Sur Palmero hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31

“I’ve had so much fun with One Direction, as many of you will know, over the years and their memories will stay with me for life, and Liam was such a big part of that.”

He joked that he sometimes felt like the sixth member of One Direction because he was with them so often during their heyday when he was presenting on BBC Radio 1.

Scott also recalled laughing with Liam when the singer’s dad Geoff wanted a selfie with him at the One Direction film premiere, despite meeting stars like David Beckham and Mariah Carey beforehand.

The presenter fought back tears as he gave him a special message: ‘So Geoff, I don’t know if you’re hearing this, but my heart goes out to you today and to the rest of Liam’s family, and, of course, to his baby boy .’

He added: “I just feel so incredibly sad about all of this. Liam, we had so much fun and you were always the kindest, most caring person to me.

“Thank you for letting me be part of your ride. I’ll never forget it. The band was always so nice, but Liam was kind of the adult in the group, the wise one. And I can’t bear that this is where Liam’s story ends.”

The BBC Radio presenter then dedicated One Direction’s Story Of My Life to Liam, his family and his fans.

Liam’s family have said they are ‘heartbroken’ by his death at the age of 31, adding that the former One Direction star will ‘live on in our hearts forever’.

Scott said: “I’ve had so much fun with One Direction, as many of you will know, over the years and their memories will stay with me for life, and Liam was such a big part of that.”

Scott joked that he sometimes felt like the sixth member of One Direction because he was with them so often during their heyday when he presented on BBC Radio 1 (pictured together in 2011).

Liam’s family have said they are ‘heartbroken’ by his death at the age of 31, adding that the former One Direction star will ‘live on in our hearts forever’ (pictured in 2023)

A family statement said: ‘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.’

Following reports of his death, Buenos Aires city ambulance service spokesman Alberto Crescenti said Mr Payne had fallen about 40 meters and suffered “serious injuries incompatible with life”.

He said: ‘At 5.04pm local time the alarm was raised due to a person lying on an internal patio of Casa Sur.

‘At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was pronounced dead.

‘Afterwards we found out that he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately, the injuries he sustained as a result of the fall proved fatal. There was no way to resuscitate him.”

Liam began his quest for fame when he first auditioned for the X Factor in 2008.

At just 14 years old, Liam impressed the judges with his own version of Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon, but was later eliminated from the show.

However, Liam gave his singing career another chance by auditioning for the competition again in 2010, where he quickly rose to fame as part of One Direction.

He and his former bandmates Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson were brought together by Simon Cowell and former judge Nicole Scherzinger who saw their potential as a group.

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 singles Strip That Down, co-written with Ed Sheeran, climbed to No. 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. The parents later split in 2018.

He previously dated British pop sensation Cheryl Cole and the couple welcomed their son Bear Gray on March 22, 2017.

Following his romance with the Girls Aloud singer, Liam had an on-off relationship with ex-fiancée Maya Henry, and the pair called it quits in May 2022.