Cheryl Cole has shared an emotional tribute following the sudden death of her former partner, Liam Payne, who tragically fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palmero Hotel in Argentina. The former One Direction star was 31 years old.
Cheryl, who shares a seven-year-old son, Bear, with Payne, took to Instagram to express her anguish as she navigates this “earth-shattering event.” The pair were in a relationship for two years before welcoming Bear Grey Payne on March 22, 2017.
In her heartfelt statement, Cheryl wrote: “As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time.” She posted a touching picture of Liam with their son Bear, asking the public to remember that Liam was not just a pop star but a father, son, and friend.
I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being. Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend, and a father to our seven-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again,” she added.
Cheryl also urged the public and media to “give Liam the little dignity he has left” and expressed her fears that Bear might one day be exposed to the “abhorrent reports and media exploitation” circulating in the wake of Liam’s death. She pleaded, “Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace.”
Liam’s death, which occurred at approximately 5 pm (ART) in Buenos Aires, came just hours after he was seen attending his former bandmate Niall Horan’s concert. In his final social media posts, Liam shared selfies from the concert, expressing his happiness and excitement at having “some time away.”
Payne rose to fame as part of One Direction, the globally successful boy band formed on The X Factor in 2010. Despite only finishing third in the competition, the group, managed by Simon Cowell, signed a lucrative contract with Syco Music and quickly became international stars.
The band members—Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Payne—amassed multiple awards, including five Brit Awards and four MTV Video Music Awards, and sold over 50 million records worldwide before going on hiatus in 2016.
Following his time with One Direction, Liam pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album LP1 in 2019, which featured collaborations with artists like J Balvin, French Montana, and Ed Sheeran.
Fans have gathered at the CasaSur Palmero Hotel, where Payne was staying, and across various locations, including Mexico City, to pay tribute to the beloved singer. Vigils have been held, with fans lighting candles and sharing memories of the pop star who captured the hearts of millions.
In a joint statement, Payne’s former bandmates Louis, Zayn, Niall, and Harry said they were “completely devastated” by the news, expressing that they would share more when they felt able to.
Cheryl and Liam initially met on The X Factor in 2008 when Payne was just 14 years old, but their romantic relationship didn’t begin until 2016. The pair made their red carpet debut at the Eva Longoria Global Gift Gala in Paris that year. In 2017, Cheryl gave birth to their son Bear, but the couple split a year later.
As tributes pour in from around the world, Payne’s death has prompted renewed discussions around mental health and the pressures of fame. Fans, friends, and former colleagues continue to remember his legacy as an artist, father, and cherished friend.
