Louis Tomlinson mourns One Direction bandmate Liam Payne: 'I've lost a brother'

Louis Tomlinson remembers how his late One Direction bandmate Liam Payne wrote an emotional letter to him.

In a social media post, Tomlinson mourned the loss of his bandmate following his death.

“I am devastated to write this, but yesterday I lost a brother. “Liam was someone I looked up to every day, such a positive, fun and kind soul,” Tomlinson wrote on Instagram.

“I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18. I was immediately taken by his voice, but more importantly, over time I got the chance to see the kind brother I longed for “I’ve been longing for it all my life,” Tomlinson continued. “Liam was an incredible songwriter with a great sense of melody. We often talked about getting back in the studio together to try to recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.”

Tomlinson noted that he felt Payne was “the most important part of One Direction,” highlighting “his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing,” adding, “Thank you for shaping us, Liam .”

Payne and Tomlinson met there The X Factor Britain Season 7 in 2010, which also starred Harry Styles and Niall Horan and Zayn Malik. The group made it to the finals but did not win the competition. However, the band was signed to Simon Cowell's music label and became a phenomenon around the world.

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In his tribute to Payne, Tomlinson also addressed a message directly to his former bandmate, saying: “I am beyond lucky to have had you in my life, but I find the thought of saying goodbye really difficult.” I'm so grateful that we've become even closer, because the band talking for hours on the phone and remembering all the thousands of great memories we had together is a luxury I thought I'd have with me for a lifetime have you. I would have loved to share the stage with you again, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

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Tomlinson continued, “I want you to know that I will be the uncle Bear needs in his life if he ever needs me and tell him stories about how great his father was.” I wish I was would have the opportunity to say goodbye and tell you once again how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you, buddy. Sleep well