Liam Payne’s ex Cheryl releases emotional statement after death of former partner and father of her son

Pop star and former X Factor judge Cheryl has released an emotional statement about the death of Liam Payne, the father of her young child, after he fell from a hotel balcony at the age of 31.

The former One Direction singer was found after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, triggering tributes from fans around the world.

Cheryl Tweedy, more commonly known by just her first name, was in a relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018. Theyt met when Payne auditioned for X Factor.

The couple share a seven-year-old son called Bear.

“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 7-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again,” she wrote on Instagram.

“As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.”

The post sat alongside a touching photograph of Payne with his son.

“What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days.

“It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.

“I am begging you to consider what some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces.

“Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.

“Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last,” she said.

It was unclear what comments or reports Cheryl was referring to, but a number of articles in recent days had pointed to Payne’s erratic and concerning behaviour in the lead-up to his tragic death.

Payne’s father arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday to arrange for the return of his son’s body to England.

Geoff Payne visited the Buenos Aires morgue to identify his son’s body before heading to the local prosecutor’s office, which is investigating the case as a matter of protocol, to organise the repatriation of his son’s remains, Argentine authorities said.

Payne’s current girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, said on Instagram she had been “at a complete loss” and she would “continue to love you for the rest of my life”.

In the central English city of Wolverhampton, Payne’s home town, more than 100 people came to mourn him, many singing some of his songs.

The tributes to Payne, who found fame as a teenager, have flowed since he was reported dead.

A joint statement was signed by his One Direction band mates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan.

“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly,” Payne’s former bandmates said.

“We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”

In a separate statement posted on Instagram on Thursday, Styles said Payne’s greatest joy was making people happy.

“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life,” Styles said.

Malik also posted on Instagram about the late singer, along with a photo of them dozing off next to each other.

“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give just to give you a hug one last time,” he wrote.

Along with a picture of Payne embracing him at a gig, Tomlinson wrote he was beyond lucky to have had him in his life.

“I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,” he said.

Music mogul Simon Cowell, who signed One Direction to his label, posted his tribute on Instagram on Friday, saying he was “truly devastated” and “heartbroken”.

“And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you,” he said.

Sharon Osbourne, former judge of TV talent show X Factor, where One Direction was formed, said on Instagram the music industry had let Payne down, describing him as “just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world”.

Prosecutors in Buenos Aires said on Thursday an initial search suggested Payne’s fall from the hotel balcony came after substance abuse.

Police earlier said they had found the room in “total disorder” in a search after his death, with various things smashed and medications scattered around.

— With AP

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