Niall Horan reflects on final meeting with Liam Payne as he becomes last One Direction star to pay tribute
Niall Horan has paid tribute to his 1D bandmate Liam Payne
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Niall Horan has admitted he's "absolutely devastated" by the death of his One Direction bandmate Liam Payne.
Payne died aged 31 after falling from the balcony of a hotel room three floors up in the Argentinian city of Buenos Aires.
Payne had been visiting the city with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy - who left the Argentinian capital a few days before his death - to watch bandmate Horan in concert.
Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson have all paid tribute to Payne following his death and Horan has now become the final 1D band member to issue a statement.
On Instagram, Horan penned: "I'm absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn't feel real.
"Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
"All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
"We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime.
"I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn't know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking.
"My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear. Love you brother. Nialler." (sic)
Liam Payne shot to stardom when he auditioned for The X Factor when he was 14, becoming a part of global boyband phenomenon One DirectionPA MediaPayne's death was announced on Wednesday after police discovered his body following a fall from his hotel room.
Officers had initially been called to the hotel by distressed staff who reported "an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol".
The transcript from the 911 call shows how staff we concerned about the man's wellbeing. Alleged photos from inside Payne's supposed hotel room show a broken TV and white powder strewn over the room.
The following day, Payne’s family said in a statement issued by his spokeswoman: “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.”
Horan's tribute comes after he and his fellow 1D bandmates all issued a joint statement expressing their heartbreak at Payne's death.
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LISTEN HERE: Translated transcript from 911 emergency call from staff at Liam Payne hotel
Shortly after, Tomlinson took to social media with his own tribute in which he made a heartfelt vow to Payne's seven-year-old son, Bear.
Meanwhile, Malik referenced the time he and Payne would "butt heads" as he reflected on their time travelling the globe as part of the group.
And Styles expressed his dismay as he reached out to Payne's parents in his own statement.