'Heartbroken': Family, friends and fans pay tribute to Liam Payne | Liam Payne

Liam Payne's family and stars from across the music world have shared tributes to the former One Direction star following his death in a hotel in Argentina.

“We are heartbroken. “Liam will live on forever in our hearts and we will remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” his family said in a statement released Thursday.

Medics confirmed the 31-year-old's death after he fell from a balcony into the courtyard of the Hotel CasaSur in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires.

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Former X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary shared an Instagram photo of him and teenager Payne on stage, describing him as “a joy” who “had time for everyone, was polite, grateful and always humble”.

He added: “The worst news. I remember him when he showed up to audition for The X Factor as a 14-year-old and blew us away with his Sinatra singing. He just loved to sing.”

Others who remembered him included Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who recalled appearing alongside Payne and One Direction in a performance of the boy band track “Where Do Broken Hearts Go” on The X Factor in 2014. to have occurred.

“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Liam Payne. It was a pleasure working with him on our X Factor gig,” Wood wrote on Instagram.

Grammy-winning pop star Charlie Puth, who co-wrote Payne's 2017 solo track “Bedroom Floor,” mourned Payne as a “great artist.”

“I'm in shock right now,” Puth wrote in a series of Instagram Stories that featured a photo of the couple together in the studio. “Liam was always so nice to me. He was one of the first great artists I had the opportunity to work with. I can’t believe he’s gone… I’m so upset right now, may he rest in peace.”

BBC Radio 1 listeners on Thursday morning heard Greg James open his breakfast show by telling listeners the news had been “unbearably sad” when they woke up and that he would process it with them.

“It could be the first time that someone you idolized has died, and that's really strange when you think about it. So be careful with yourself today because it's a shock, it's destabilizing,” he said, addressing Payne's fans.

“Even though you may not have known Liam Payne personally, we have these parasocial relationships where we know these people to some degree and they are part of our lives and when they are gone they are strange to deal with. “

Singer Olly Murs, who starred in The X Factor a year before One Direction, said on Instagram that he was “at a loss for words” and described Payne's death as “devastating”.

“We always laughed a lot when we saw each other, sometimes the conversations were short and sweet, but when we did it was mostly about how terribly good his hair always looked, or about our love for the old Becks XF (X Factor) days and the tour we spent together,” Murs wrote alongside a picture of him and Payne.

Among the collaborators who paid their respects was German DJ Zedd, who made the song “Get Low” with Payne in 2017 and said on X: “I can't believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking.”

Rapper Juicy J, who appeared on an unreleased demo titled You, wrote: “RIP Liam Payne wow I can't believe there are prayers for the family.”

Lou Teasdale, a hair and makeup artist who has worked extensively with One Direction on tour, said on X: “Sending you all so much love.”

Irish pop duo Jedward, who competed on The X Factor a season before One Direction, wrote on X: “RIP Liam Payne sends his condolences to his friends and family.”

They also released a follow-up show giving strength to Payne's family, including his former partner and X Factor judge Cheryl and their seven-year-old son Bear.

Musicians and friends outside the X Factor world also paid tribute to the event. “So disturbing to hear the news,” Paris Hilton tweeted. “I send love and condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP my friend.”

Author EL James said she was “heartbroken”. Payne previously contributed the song “For You” with Rita Ora to the soundtrack of “Fifty Shades Freed,” the film adaptation of the final book in James' “Fifty Shades” trilogy.

British pop star Mabel wrote on her Instagram Story: “For many years I always knew I could turn to you for support and great brotherly advice, but now you're gone.”

She continued: “My thoughts and prayers are with Liam's family and friends at this time, they will be missed greatly.”