Singer Max George has revealed he is ‘devastated’ at the news of Liam Payne’s death.

The Wanted 2.0 star wrote on X: ‘Liam was unbelievably supportive during one of the most difficult times in my life.

‘I will never forget that.

‘My thoughts are with his family, friends and fans at this horrendous time.

The British-Irish boy band is currently touring for the first time in two years following the death of singer Tom Parker from brain cancer, aged 33, in 2022.

Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary described shock reports of Liam Payne’s death as ‘the worst news’.

He said: ‘I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.

‘He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.

‘Sending love and prayers to his family. Dx’

Meanwhile fellow contestant and presenter Rylan Clark wrote to his 1.7million followers on X: ‘Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young. RIP Liam x’

Clark, 35 and Payne did not appear in the same series but were nevertheless both alumni of the hit ITV talent show.

Fellow former contestant Katie Waissel wrote: ‘My heart is completely torn to shreds right now, I am at an absolute loss for words.’

Jedward, aka John and Edward Grimes, wrote: ‘RIP Liam Payne 💔 condolences to friends and family’.’

He was the joyful Brummie who couldn’t believe his luck when he found himself as one fifth of X Factor phenomenon One Direction.

But last night singer Liam Payne was found dead after falling from the third floor of a hotel in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires. It is not known if it was intentional or not.

He was found on Wednesday at the CasaSur Palermo hotel.

Friends of the 31-year-old star were shocked at the news which came just days after his former girlfriend Maya Henry called in lawyers as she begins legal action against Liam after accusing him of obsessive contact and ‘weaponising’ his fans against her.

Buenos Aires police has confirmed that Liam Payne fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighborhood of Argentina’s capital, resulting in ‘extremely serious injuries.’

He was declared dead at the scene, the statement added.

Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, added that police were dispatched to the hotel in response to an emergency call about an ‘aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.’

When police arrived, they found Payne’s body in the hotel courtyard, Policicchio said.

An investigation has been launched and an autopsy will take place in due course, officials confirmed.

Police said they were responding to a scene at the hotel when officials heard a loud sound in an interior courtyard.

Officers then discovered a body, identified as that of Mr Payne.

Emergency medical services director Alberto Crescenti said he had suffered ‘serious injuries’ from the fall and confirmed an investigation into the death is ongoing.

Forensic teams join firefighters and police at the hotel in upscale Palermo this evening as crowds gather outside.

Singer Charlie Puth has shared a series of photos and videos to his Instagram as he paid tribute to the late One Direction star.

The 32-year-old Light Switch hitmaker posted a sweet photograph of the pair, each pointing to the other and with their arms around one another.

He wrote to his 18.4million followers: ‘I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.

‘He was one of the first major artists I got to work with.

‘I can not believe he is gone.’

Liam Payne’s final video messages to his fans have emerged, which were posted just hours before news of his death.

The 31-year-old looked relaxed and happy as he swung the camera around to share his view of the vista and said: ‘It’s a lovely day here in Argentina’.

He then showed his current partner Kate Cassidy having breakfast, mentioning they were ‘enjoying breakfast and coffee’ at about 1pm.

She responded: ‘Literally we sleep in every day until about 12pm. We’re such losers.’

Liam shook his head, before simply adding with a smile: ‘No.’

The 31-year-old British musician was found dead after falling from his third floor hotel room balcony, police said this evening.

In a statement, the capital police said they were called to the hotel in the capital’s leafy Palermo neighborhood.

Emergency workers confirmed the death of the singer, who was reportedly found in the hotel’s interior patio.

‘Our hearts are absolutely broken and we wish much light and strength for his family and loved ones,’ MTV’s Latin American branch wrote in a post on social media platform X.

Liam Payne performs during the TAB Everest Race Day at Royal Randwick Racecourse on October 13, 2018