A close friend of Liam Payne has revealed to Sky News the final messages the singer sent her in the hours leading up to his death on Wednesday.

Jodie Richards, who taught the former One Direction star at her performing arts company Pink Productions in Wolverhampton, said she thought the news that he’d died after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires was “fake” and she tried to call him on Wednesday night.

Liam, 31, had messaged Jodie on Monday to ask her what she was doing. She replied to say she was with her son, Jackson, at a gym, and Liam replied “nice”.

He later sent her a photo of himself sitting on his bed in his hotel room in the Argentinian capital, with his hand to his forehead. She replied: “Sorry just home x.”

Latest updates: New details of Payne’s death released

Jodie told Sky News: “I’m really close to Liam, we’ve been friends for years and he was away yesterday in Argentina and I think he just wanted to touch base and check I was okay, see how everyone was back at home.

“We speak near enough every day and have done for years. Obviously he’s always been there at times I’ve needed him even though he’s not local.”

On Wednesday, Liam messaged Jodie in the early hours of the morning UK time to ask if she was awake – she later replied that she was at 8.20am.

She asked if he was okay, he replied “yeah” and she told him she’d just got to work. He told her he was “chilling” in Argentina.

“He was looking forward to his day, he said he was having a chill, nothing seemed out of the ordinary”, the 41-year-old, from the West Midlands, said.

“He’s always somewhere more glamorous than we are so LA, Argentina, I have to look at the time difference to see where he is, he usually texts me and it’s the middle of our night.

“He seemed fine, he looked happy, he looked healthy – no reason for any kind of concern and then obviously I heard it on the news.”

‘Tell me this isn’t true’

Jodie said she “couldn’t believe” what was happening.

“I thought it was fake news, I tried to phone him. Obviously he wasn’t answering. I tried to text him, it wasn’t going to a ‘read’ message – normally it does quite quickly, then as I turned the telly on it was getting more and more apparent it wasn’t fake.”

Jodie texted Liam, saying: “Please tell me this isn’t true!”

“It’s a wicked waste of a life, he had a future ahead of him,” she said, adding that “family, friends, everyone loved him. It’s a real tragedy not only for us as friends and family but the whole world who know him as a celebrity and a pop singer.

“Obviously he’s got a very supportive mum and dad, his two sisters, I know he speaks very highly of Cheryl [Tweedy], he’s got a girlfriend… he’s got enough people to reach out to and he would have.

“He’s always got help if he needed it but as far as I’m concerned he was in a good place with everything going on in his personal life and his career as well, he had new things on the horizon on the telly and he seemed happy.”

Read more:
What we know about Liam Payne’s death
‘Heartbroken’ family pay tribute to singer

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

Jodie said she would remember him as a “cheeky chappy” who would “make everyone laugh”.

“I just want people to look at Liam, look at everything, the legacy he’s left through X Factor, all his charity work and just remember him for the absolute idol he is.”

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died at the age of 31.

The singer was in Argentina when he was found dead by police.

How did Payne die?

Local police said Payne had fallen from the third floor of a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening.

He is said to have suffered “extremely serious injuries”.

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne fell into a courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood.

He declined to answer further questions about the incident, including whether Payne jumped from the balcony or fell by accident.

Pablo Policicchio, a spokesperson for the security ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said police were called to the hotel in response to an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.

Tributes as Payne found dead at hotel – follow latest

Payne’s social media post hours before death

Payne had posted on Snapchat in the last few hours, and in one video he said it was a “lovely day here in Argentina”.

“Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it’s like 1pm,” he said. “Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We’re such losers.”

The star spoke about “going to ride some horses” and said: “Think I’m going to play polo again which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks.”

“It’s going to be a nice day,” he added.

It was not clear when the videos were filmed, but were posted hours before his death.

Why was Payne in Argentina?

Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.

He was seen dancing at his show two weeks ago at the Movistar Arena alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.

:: Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has been found dead in Argentina.

The 31-year-old singer had fallen from the third floor of a hotel in the capital Buenos Aires, suffering “extremely serious injuries”, police said.

Follow latest updates after Liam Payne found dead

Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne fell into a courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood.

The official declined to answer questions over whether he jumped from the balcony or fell by accident.

Mr Crescenti said authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death and conducting a post-mortem examination.

According to TV network Telemundo, police had been called to the hotel to reports of an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Argentinian media reported that Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.

Hernan Palazzo, who works near the hotel, said the neighbourhood was “very shaken up… there’s a lot of police, some fans arriving. It is very sad.”

Fans flocked to the hotel after news of Payne’s death broke, with many expressing shock and heartbreak.

“I didn’t think he was going to die so young,” 21-year-old Isabella Milesi said.

Payne had posted on Snapchat in the hours before his death, sharing photos of himself with his partner Kate Cassidy as well as videos in which he said it was a “lovely day here in Argentina”.

“Just enjoying coffee and breakfast, even though it’s like 1pm,” he said. “Literally sleep in every day until like 12. We’re such losers.”

The star spoke about “going to ride some horses” and said: “Think I’m going to play polo again which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks.”

“It’s going to be a nice day,” he added.

Payne had embarked on a solo career after One Direction announced they were going on an indefinite hiatus in 2015.

The band was formed on The X Factor in 2010, with Payne alongside Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Harry Styles. They were mentored on the show by Simon Cowell.

Payne has a seven-year-old son called Bear with singer Cheryl, who was a judge on The X Factor. Their relationship began in 2016 but they split in 2018.

Tributes poured in for Payne following his death.

Former X Factor host Dermot O’Leary posted a photo of himself and Payne on Instagram: writing: “The worst news. I remember him as a 14-year-old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.

“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. Sending love and prayers to his family.”

Read more:
What we know so far after Liam Payne dies
Payne posted on social media in hours before death

Charlie Puth, who collaborated with Payne on the track Bedroom Floor, posted on Instagram: “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. I cannot believe he is gone.”

Former X Factor contestants Jedward posted: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One Direction family.”

Another former contestant, TV presenter Rylan Clark, said: “Extremely sad news. (Very) tragic and so young. RIP Liam.”

Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, had a complicated personal life and spoken openly about his struggles with alcoholism and mental health. He was also diagnosed with ADHD as an adult.

He had previously spoken about suffering with suicidal thoughts, admitting that he was “lucky to still be here”.

In 2019, Payne addressed his mental health on Sky show Straight Talking with Ant Middleton, where he spoke about his struggles with fame.

Describing fame as like “having a weird midlife crisis”, Payne said: “For some certain circumstances, I’m quite lucky to be here still.”

Since October 2022, Payne has been linked to influencer Cassidy, recently posting on Instagram that they “make each other better people”, and adding: “For the first time in my life I’m happy to be me and that’s priceless.”

He was previously engaged to Maya Henry, with their relationship ending in 2022.

Earlier this week, it was reported she had issued legal proceedings – instructing lawyers to issue a cease and desist letter to Liam – and she posted a video on TikTok claiming the singer had been repeatedly sending her unwanted messages.

Last week, the Sun reported Liam had parted with his management company and shelved plans for a second solo album.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK