Our hearts are broken

LIAM Payne has been remembered as a joy to be around who helped his showbiz friends through tough times.

- MARK JEFFERIES

The singer, who fell to his death in Buenos Aires on Wednesday aged 31, was a member of boy band One Direction, who appeared on ITV's The X Factor in 2010.

Pop star Rita Ora collaborated with Liam on the song For You for the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, and performed the song last night at a concert in Osaka, Japan.

Struggling to contain her emotions, she said: "I can't even sing this right now."

Earlier, the 33-year-old said: "He had the kindest soul. I loved working with him so much - he was just such a joy to be around.

"This tragic news breaks my heart.

"Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones."

Marvin Humes of JLS met the singer when Liam auditioned for X Factor aged 14, two years before he made it through to the final stages with One Direction.

Marvin, 39, said yesterday: "I take comfort in the fact that Liam really achieved his dreams and had an incredible career."

The Wanted star Max George, 36, recalled Liam being a rock when his bandmate Tom Parker was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Tom died aged 33 in 2022.