Zayn Malik has paid tribute to his friend Liam Payne.

Malik, who left the band in 2015 citing the need “some private time out of the spotlight” before embarking on a solo career, thanked Payne for “supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life”.

“When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved,” he said.

 

Malik said he “butted heads” with Payne at times because he was “headstrong” and “opinionated”, but “always secretly respected” him for it.

“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated,” he added.

Payne died of multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage” as a result of the hotel fall, a post-mortem examination report said.

A press release from Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No 16 said it would be investigating the incident as an “inconclusive death” after the report.

In a statement issued via a spokeswoman, Payne’s family told the PA news agency they were “heartbroken” and added: “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”

Payne’s One Direction bandmates said they are “completely devastated” and will miss the singer “terribly”.

A joint statement signed by Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Tomlinson said the “memories we shared with him will be treasured forever”, adding they will be taking “some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother”.

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The band toured across the globe and had five chart-topping albums, as well as four number-one singles in the UK chart with tracks including What Makes You Beautiful and Little Things.

The band, without Malik, appeared on The Late Late Show’s Carpool Karaoke segment with James Corden, raking in in more than 200 million views on YouTube.

Gavin And Stacey co-creator Corden said in a social media post that Payne “was such a loving and kind soul”, adding: “I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him.”

Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, released his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019, which included the songs Polaroid and Strip That Down featuring Quavo.

One of his most famous songs, For You, was a collaboration with the singer Rita Ora for the 2018 film Fifty Shades Freed.

Hours after his death, Ora sang their song while an image of the pair was projected on to the screen behind her during a performance in Osaka, Japan