Singer Cheryl has posted about Liam Payne’s death, saying their seven-year-old son Bear “has to face the reality of never seeing his father again”.

The Girls Aloud star and former X Factor judge also hit out at “abhorrent reports” about Payne, saying: “It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect (Bear) from that in his future.”

Payne died on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.

Follow latest: Liam Payne’s girlfriend posts for first time about his death

Cheryl and the One Direction singer were in a relationship between 2016 and 2018 and welcomed their son in 2017.

In a post on Instagram, she shared a photo of Payne and Bear when he was a baby lying in bed together.

Alongside the photo, Cheryl wrote: “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.

“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 seven-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.

“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.”

She added: “I am begging you to consider what use 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.

“Thank you, Cheryl.”

Tributes have poured in for Payne following his death, including from his One Direction bandmates who issued a joint statement and their own personal messages.

Simon Cowell – who mentored the band on the X Factor and later signed them to his label – paid tribute to Payne on Friday evening, saying he was “truly devastated” and felt “empty”.

The music mogul said Payne’s son would be “so proud” of what his father had achieved during his 31 years.

“I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eyes you have,” Cowell added.

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Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy said she was at a “complete loss”, in a tribute also posted on Friday.

The model wrote: “Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam.”

The pair had been dating for two years. Two days before the singer’s death, Cassidy, 25, reportedly travelled back to her home in Florida, while Payne remained in Argentina.

Niall Horan has paid tribute to his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne, saying he is “absolutely devastated” by his death.

The 31-year-old pop star suffered “extremely serious injuries” after landing in the courtyard of the CasaSur Hotel in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires, police said.

Payne had flown to Buenos Aires to attend the Horan’s concert at the Movistar Arena earlier this month.

Horan shared a photo of the pair as teenagers at the start of their One Direction journey, with Payne on his back and both smiling for the camera.

In a statement shared on Instagram, he wrote: “I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.”

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He described his former bandmate as having an “energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious”.

“He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure,” he said.

He went on: “All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.

“We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”

He said news of the death of his “amazing friend” just didn’t “feel real”.

He signed off his post, “Thank you for everything Payno, Love you brother, Nialler”.

Former One Direction members Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan put out a statement saying they were “completely devastated” following Payne’s death.

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Payne posts on Snapchat hours before death

Fans flocked to the hotel after news of Payne’s death broke, setting up vigils, singing and lighting candles.

In the UK, fans are planning a memorial in Hyde Park in London on Sunday afternoon.

In the hours before his death, photos shared from the singer’s Snapchat account showed him with his partner Kate Cassidy.

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

The group finished third before signing with Cowell’s “Syco” record label and going on to become one of the best-selling boybands of all time.

Payne leaves behind his 7-year-old son Bear who he shared with Girls Aloud star Cheryl, his parents Karen and Geoff, and elder sisters Nicola and Ruth.

Harry Styles has paid tribute to his former bandmate Liam Payne saying his energy was “infectious” and the time spent together would be “among the most cherished years of my life”.

The Watermelon Sugar popstar said in a post on Instagram on Thursday evening he was “truly devastated” by the death of Payne, with whom he shot to fame as part of boy band One Direction.

Payne, 31, died after plunging to his death from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina’s capital.

The circumstances of his death were suspicious and possibly involved drugs, Argentinian prosecutors have said, but there was no sign of third-party involvement.

“His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” Styles said.

“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.

“He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.

“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew him and loved him, as I did.”

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Payne posted on social media in hours before death

Tributes to the 31-year-old singer have been pouring in from all over the world since the shocking news of his death emerged.

One Direction issued a statement saying they were “completely devastated” by “the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly”.

On his Instagram page, fellow One Direction member Louis Tomlinson said he had “lost a brother”.

Calling the singer “an incredible songwriter with a great sense of melody”, he said they “got even closer since the band” and offered to be an uncle to Payne’s son, Bear if he “ever needs me”.

Zayn Malik posted simply “Love You Bro”, along with a picture of the two of them asleep together, seemingly in a vehicle.

‘Heartbroken’

His family said they were “heartbroken” in a statement issued through Payne’s representative.

“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who performed with One Direction in 2014, said he was “shocked and saddened”.

The Backstreet Boys said in a social media post that their hearts go out to “Directioners around the world.”

The production company behind the film One Direction: This is Us, hailed Payne as a “truly wonderful soul”, before adding in a post on Instagram: “Every room was brighter for him being in it.”

Former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne said the music industry had failed Payne, who was “just a kid” when he entered “one of the toughest industries in the world”.

Payne previously said he struggled with alcoholism at the peak of his success, describing hitting “rock bottom” to The Diary Of A CEO podcast host Steven Bartlett.

But in 2023 he posted a YouTube video confirming he was almost six months sober after nearly 100 days in a US rehab facility.

In past interviews, Payne alluded to the gruelling consequences of growing up against the surreal backdrop of the entertainment industry.

“I don’t think you can ever deal with that. It’s all a bit crazy for us to see that people get in that sort of state of mind about us and what we do,” he told the AP in 2013.

What do we know about Payne’s death so far?

The Buenos Aires police said they found Payne’s hotel room “in complete disarray” with broken objects and furniture.

They found packs of clonazepam, a central nervous system depressant, energy supplements and over-the-counter medications strewn about his belongings. The Argentine public prosecutor said there also appeared to be alcohol and narcotics in the room.

Forensics teams reported that a whiskey bottle, lighter and mobile phone were retrieved from the building’s internal courtyard where Payne’s body was found.

One of his close friends has shown Sky News messages he sent her hours before he died.

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The results of the requested toxicology tests are pending and could take weeks to become public.

:: 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.