‘I can’t believe this is real’: Tributes flow for One Direction star Liam Payne after his tragic death

Tributes are flowing in from friends and fans of former One Direction member Liam Payne after he was found dead on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old is believed to have fallen from a third-storey balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Palermo in Buenos Aries, Argentina.

His death was confirmed on local TV by the head of the state emergency medical system Alberto Crescenti.

“At 17.04, through 911, the integrated public security system, we were alerted about a person who was in an internal courtyard of the Casa Sur hotel. At 17.11, a SAME team arrived and confirmed the man’s death,” he said.

“We later learned that he was a singer in a musical group.

“Unfortunately, he had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death.

“There was no possibility of resuscitation.”

Following news of his tragic passing, fellow celebrities took to social media with heartfelt tributes.

Paris Hilton said: “So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones.”

US singer Charlie Puth, who put out song Bedroom Floor with Payne, said he was in “shock” after hearing the news and was one of the first major artists he worked with.

“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,” he wrote on Instagram.

“I can not believe he is gone.”

German music producer and DJ Zedd, who collaborated with Payne on Get Low, said he couldn’t believe Payne’s death was real.

“RIP Liam...I can’t beleive this is real...absolutely heartbreaking,” he said on X.

“Life is short and fragile...You never know what people are going through. We live in times where being rude, divisive and mean is normal; sometimes even celebrated. It doesn’t have to be this way. We should do our best to be kind, supportive and mindful.”

US rapper Flavor Fav said: “RIP to Liam Payne, much too young.”

MTV and the BRIT Awards were both “deeply saddened” to hear of his shock death with streaming services Spotify and iHeartRadio also paying tribute.

“We are extremely shocked and heartbroken to hear this news. Sending our love to his family, friends and fans around the world,” the team at iHeartRadio said.

US rapper Juicy J said: “R.I.P. Liam Payne wow I can’t believe it prayers up for the family.”

Payne made his debut as a singer in 2008 when he auditioned for the The X Factor in the UK.

He owes part of his success to judge Simon Cowell who grouped him with fellow contestants Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik to form the boy band One Direction.

After many years of putting out hit songs such as What Makes You Beautiful, Best Song Ever and One Thing, the group split in January 2016.

All five members went on to pursue individual singing careers with Styles arguably the most successful.

Payne’s solo songs include hit tracks Strip That down ft Quavo and Get Low.

His latest song Teardrops was released in March and marked his return to music after he was hospitalised last year with a kidney infection.

Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear whom he shares with singer Cheryl Cole.