Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

Image source, Reuters

Liam Payne made headlines over the years for his relationships with numerous women.

He dated Girls Aloud star Cheryl in 2016, whom he had first met in 2008 when he auditioned for X Factor aged 14. Tweedy was a judge on the show.

The couple, who had a son, Bear, together, split in 2018.

He also dated supermodel Naomi Campbell, and model Maya Henry - to whom he got engaged in 2020 before they called it off.

The BBC has seen a cease and desist letter against the singer earlier this week from Henry's lawyers, which "pertains to alleged egregious conduct".

She had posted on social media accusing him of repeatedly contacting her. Payne did not respond to the accusations.

Most recently, he was romantically involved with US influencer Kate Cassidy.

The former One Direction star Liam Payne, 31, has died after falling from a balcony of the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here's what we know:

• Police went to the hotel following an emergency call about "an aggressive man" causing a disturbance
• In an emergency call heard by the BBC, the caller says a guest is under the influence of drink and drugs and they are concerned for their safety
• After police arrived at the scene a loud sound was heard from the inner courtyard where Payne's body was then discovered
• Payne's body has been transferred to a morgue in the city
• Tributes have poured in on social media. X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary said Payne was "both wise and sort of a young soul at the same time"

Nabiha Ahmed
BBC UGC

Image source, Vevo / One Direction

While bedroom posters were the closest many fans got to Liam Payne, the BBC has heard from one woman who met the star on her honeymoon in 2011.

"I saw a gaggle of girls around and realised they were filming the music video," Jo Shatford says, recalling how she stumbled upon the pop group shooting for their track 'One Thing' in London.

"I managed to get a picture with Liam. He was very nice. He gave me a lovely photo and told me it was nice to meet."

The encounter took place only a day after Shatford’s wedding - and she was shocked to find later that she made the cut to feature in the music video.

"I’m not a superfan but I value this moment," she tells the BBC. "To this day, it's my 'fun-fact' to say I got to meet Liam and be in the video."

You can see a screengrab of the music video above - and Jo's own snap from the day below.

Image source, Jo Shatford/BBC

Outside the Buenos Aires hotel where Liam Payne died, fans sang the One Direction song "Infinity" in tribute to him. (This video is available only to our audience in UK).

Image source, X/X Factor

We've just heard from the team behind The X Factor, the talent show that skyrocketed Payne to stardom.

"We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne," a post to the show's official social media reads.

"He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.

"Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him."

Image source, Ant Middleton/Instagram

Former SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton joins the steady stream of celebrities paying tribute to Liam Payne this morning.

"That was some sunset you captured there mate," he says in an Instagram post of a shot taken when the pair filmed a documentary in Namibia together.

"A talented positive man with a good heart. I’m glad our friendship flourished and that I was someone you could confine (sic) in. Your turn to look over me now bro! Luv ya and will miss you sorely..."

Fellow X Factor contestants Jedward wrote on X: "Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One direction Family RIP @LiamPayne."

Pop band McFly says: "We’re shocked and extremely sad to wake up to the news of Liam Payne’s death. Our thoughts and love are with his family and friends at such a difficult time."

And Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood spoke fondly of his memories of Payne on X: "I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Liam Payne. It was a pleasure to work with him on our X Factor performance. God bless Liam, thinking of all his loved ones. He will be dearly missed."

• This is the transcript of the second call from the hotel to the emergency services - read the first one here

Call handler: 911 where’s your emergency?

Caller: Hello, good day, I just called but got cut off. I’m calling from the hotel CasaSur Palermo, Costa Rica [St] 6032

What’s happening at that location, sir?

Well, we’ve got a guest who has had too many drugs and alcohol and, well, when he is conscious he is trashing the entire room and we need you to send someone, please

He is under the effect of alcohol and drugs, is he, sir?

Yes, correct

You said Costa Rica St at which location?

Costa Rica 6032

That’s between Arevalo and Cramer?

Yes

You said it’s a hotel? What’s it called?

CasaSur Palermo, and we need you to send someone urgently because, well, I don’t know whether his life, may be in danger, the guest’s life. He is in a room with a balcony and well, we’re a little afraid that he…

Since when has he been there or is this a long-stay hotel?

He’s been here for two or three days.

Understood, you wouldn’t know any other details because you can’t get in, right?

No

We’ll notify the SAME (medical emergency) staff as well, yes?

Yes, what I’m asking is for someone to come urgently because, well…

We’ve notified SAME. Any other details you can provide. Who are you, are you in charge?

I am in the chief receptionist.

In charge at the location?

Yes, yes.

We’ve now reported this. What’s your name, sir?

Esteban.

We’ve reported it.

OK

Thanks for calling, you can free up the line now.

Are you sending the police as well or not?

The police and the local – wait give me a second – the local authorities and the SAME.

No, no, just the SAME. Just the SAME.

Understood, don’t worry, we’ve reported it.

Yes, perfect, many thanks.

You told me that [the guest] is under the influence of drugs and alcohol and the SAME doesn’t go in alone.

The SAME doesn’t go in alone? Ok, ok.

No, it’s reported [to the police] regardless. If the police arrives you explain [what’s going on] and if they need the SAME, they call them.

Good, ok. Perfect.

We’ve made the report, have a good day, sir.

Good, thanks, same to you.

We can now bring you the transcripts of two calls made from the hotel to Argentinian emergency services, in the moments before Liam Payne died.

Call handler: 911 where’s your emergency?

Caller: Hello

911 what’s your emergency?

Hello, good afternoon, look I’m calling you from the hotel CasaSur Palermo, which is located in Costa Rica [St] 6032

6032? Is that between Cramer [St] and …

Yes, that’s correct it’s between Arevalo [Street] and Dorrego [Street]. So, we have a guest who is high on drugs and who is trashing the room. Erm, so we need someone to come

Understood, so you’re telling me is being aggressive? Sir, can you please repeat the name of the hotel? Sir?

• The line cuts and a second call is made - we'll have that in our next post

Through the night, One Direction followers have been arriving in Buenos Aires to pay their respects at a vigil for Liam Payne.

A large group of fans can be heard singing One Direction tunes as Argentinian supporter Facundo tells the BBC the group was a "big part" of his childhood.

"I had the hope that they would get together again someday, and now I feel really heartbroken about this situation because they will never again be able to join together," he says.

Fellow fan Lucia says she has made friends at the vigil because of their shared heartbreak at the news.

"One Direction has been separated for a long time, but things like this are an excuse for us to come back and remember why they were a safe place for most of us in our adolescence," she explains.

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

We earlier heard from one of Liam Payne's school friends - and now we've had a tribute from the school itself, St Peter's Collegiate Academy in the Compton area of Wolverhampton.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our former student, Liam Payne," the school tells the BBC.

"During his time at St Peter's Collegiate Academy, Liam was not only well-liked by his peers and teachers but also recognised for his talents.

"He made a positive impact on our school community, and his contributions will be remembered." Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, did his GCSEs at the school before moving to a local college to study music technology.

Image source, Getty Images

Noor Nanji and Alex Taylor
Culture reporters

There is a lot of anger this morning after the American showbiz website TMZ published photographs apparently showing parts of Liam Payne’s body after his death.

The pictures were of an arm and waist, as well as of a police tent that had reportedly been placed over Payne after his fall.

TMZ said the One Direction’s tattoos helped to confirm early reports of his death, but the pictures were met with a fierce backlash on social media.

"This is beyond disrespectful, it’s a complete failure of humanity and decency," wrote one X user.

"That is just vile," another said.

The photos now appear to have been taken down following the outcry. The BBC has contacted TMZ for a response.

Image source, John Carpenter

John Carpenter, who was a school friend of Liam Payne's, says he is "absolutely shocked and heartbroken" at the news.

Both boys attended St Peter’s Collegiate secondary school in Wolverhampton, and John tells BBC Radio WM Liam was his "first friend" at the school.

As Liam rose to fame, he returned to school and John remembers him being “absolutely mobbed by everyone".

John says: "He actually said to me, John, can you be my bodyguard please?"

John and Liam remained friends, exchanging Facebook and Instagram messages, but as One Direction became more famous, Liam had to change his phone number.

John says he believed Liam had been advised to "leave the past behind", and that was understandable.

Thinking back to their last conversation, John says his last words to Liam were: "I wish you absolutely the very best, but please don’t lose your head. Stay grounded and remember our time at St Peter’s wherever you go."

Image source, John Carpenter

Liam Payne had been posting on social media about his time in Argentina. Here is his final social media post, believed to be filmed in the days before his death.

After One Direction split in 2016, Payne's personal and professional life was full of highs and lows.

His 2017 debut single Strip That Down peaked at number three in the UK and was nominated for two Brit awards, while the 2018 track For You was also recognised by the Brits and reached number eight in the charts.

In 2017, he became a father to son Bear with partner Girls Aloud star Cheryl Tweedy, before they split in 2018.

In an interview in 2019, he told the BBC about his struggles with alcohol saying: "It was very erratic behaviour on my part - I was partying too hard". He added his family had been "very worried".

In recent years, Payne had some health problems and was reportedly hospitalised twice last year with kidney problems.

And his solo career had stalled - a comeback single Teardrops failed to make the charts this March and a second solo album and documentary about his life was put on hold, according to reports.

• Liam Payne: Boy band star who had the X factor

Boyband the Backstreet Boys have paid tribute to Liam Payne, in a post on their social media.

It says: "Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now. And it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat.

"Our hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends, and directioners around the world.

"Rest in peace brother."

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

Image source, PA Media

One Direction took him to international fame, but there’s no mistaking that Liam Payne was a Wolverhampton boy.

When Payne stood up at his first audition, aged 14, there was no missing his Black Country accent.

"I should really be concentrating on my [school] work but I just think about singing too much," he said. "It's a dream and I'd love to do it."

He was born in the Heath Town district of Wolverhampton and went on to study at the City of Wolverhampton College.

Even at the height of stardom, he was always proud of his Wolverhampton roots and kept close ties to the city.

Image source, Reuters

As we've reported fans are gathering outside the Buenos Aires hotel where the British singer died.

Amanda Kier says she has been a fan since she was 12 years old, and tells the BBC Liam was always her favourite.

"I've been listening to his music from the moment I got back from outside of the hotel and I think I will continue to do that for the foreseeable future," she says.

"It just comes as such as shock. No one was expecting it, especially with how young he is and I know he was experiencing some personal struggles but I had no idea of the intensity of where everything was at.

"It's a part of my youth. Part of me is a little lost now.”

• Warning: Some readers may find this post distressing

Here's what we know about the moments leading up to Payne's death so far.

Local police say a 911 call alerted them to "an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol" at the Casa Sur hotel where Payne was staying in Buenos Aires.

Argentine media is reporting that the emergency call came from a hotel manager, who reported a guest "on drugs and destroying the room", according to the AFP news agency.

The manager reportedly told the operator that the guest "has a balcony, and we are afraid they might do something to put their life at risk".

Shortly after police arrived at the scene, a loud sound was heard from the inner courtyard of the hotel, where officers then found Payne's body.

BBC Radio 1

Radio 1 Breakfast presenter Greg James has invited listeners to share their thoughts and feelings over the death of Liam Payne.

Kicking off his show this morning he paid tribute to the singer and acknowledged it would be "unbearably sad news" for fans.

James added that it was also important to celebrate Payne's life before playing the One Direction hit single What Makes You Beautiful, the lead single on their debut album Up All Night.

You can listen on BBC Sounds.

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

Plenty will be said about his time on One Direction.

But Payne also had a successful run as a solo artist.

In 2017, he released his single Strip That Down from his debut solo studio album, which reached number three on the UK Singles Chart.

His debut studio album, LP1, came out in 2019 to mixed reviews.

But he still sold millions of singles after One Direction’s hiatus - proving he was much more than just a member of the famous boy band.

In his personal life, he had been linked to numerous women in recent years, including supermodel Naomi Campbell, model Maya Henry - to whom he got engaged in 2020 before they called it off, and most recently, US influencer Kate Cassidy.

He also suffered health troubles in recent years, being in hospital twice in 2023.

Image source, PA Media