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This is a developing story and is being updated.

Tributes to British singer and former One Direction member Liam Payne have begun flooding social media following news the British singer died in Argentina.

Local newspaper La Nacion reported Payne, 31, was found dead after falling from the hotel’s third floor, it said, citing emergency services.

Witnesses told local media Payne had fallen from his CasaSur Palmero Hotel room just after 5pm on Wednesday (local time), AFP reports.

“So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne’s passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend,” Paris Hilton posted to X.

American singer-songwriter Charlie Puth took to his Instagram Story following the news to commemorate Payne, writing: “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’s gone.”

He shared footage of him and Payne smiling together with the text: “I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace.”

He later posted a photo of him and Payne to his feed without a caption.

Irish singers and TV presenters John and Edward Grimes, collectively known as Jedward, also paid tribute to the star.

“RIP Liam Payne, condolences to friends and family,” they wrote.

“Sending strength to Cheryl [Cole, his former partner and the mother of his child] and his son Bear and all the One direction Family.”

“I will never forget the day I was able to interview one of the singers who was part of the soundtrack of my childhood and adolescence, that moment will always be in my heart,” Brazilian actress and presenter Maisa da Silva Andrade said on X, according to a translation.

“Rest in peace and thank you for everything.”

Irish singers and TV presenters John and Edward Grimes, collectively known as Jedward, also paid tribute to the star.

“RIP Liam Payne, condolences to friends and family,” they wrote.

“Sending strength to Cheryl [Cole, his former partner and the mother of his child] and his son Bear and all the One direction Family.”

New Zealand-British journalist and presenter Dan Wootton also paid tribute, citing the “truly evil” music industry.

“What an appalling tragedy and waste of life. Liam Payne was always the most mature member of One Direction in those heady early days. He was a joy to be around. The music industry is truly evil. My thoughts to his poor family, band mates and fans who will be devastated.”

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Liam Payne’s passing. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the many fans who loved and supported him,” streaming service Spotify said in a statement, while MTV wrote: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of Liam Payne’s tragic passing today. During this difficult time, our hearts remain with his family, loved ones, and fans.” 

“RIP to Liam Payne [...] much too young,” American rapper Flavor Flav posted. 

German music producer and DJ, Anton “Zedd” Zaslavski, described the news as “absolutely heartbreaking”, adding: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real.” 

“I am heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Liam Payne. I can barely believe it. Sincere condolences to his family,” British author E. L. James posted. 

American singer Corbyn Besson said the news of Payne’s death had rendered him “speechless”. 

“Damn this Liam Payne news got me speechless … looked up to 1D [One Direction] so much during the WDW [his band Why Don’t We] days. you really never know when it’s your time to go,” he wrote. 

“Remind your friends/family that you love them today and every day.” 

Just days ago, Payne’s ex-fiancee Maya Henry had lawyers issue a cease and desist letter after accusing Payne of repeatedly contacting her. 

A representative for the Texan model, 23, told the Daily Mail she was “obviously in shock”. 

”We just found out from a reporter contacting us. Right now she is obviously in shock. But I will let you know if we choose to comment,” the representative said. 

From 2016 to 2018, Payne dated English singer and television personality Cheryl Cole, who had served as a judge on The X Factor when he was a contestant. On March 22, 2017, Cole - now known by the mononym Cheryl - gave birth to their son, Bear. 

Payne’s last post on Instagram marked the death of documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, who directed the 2013 3D documentary concert film, One Direction: This Is Us. The post, which was uploaded following the director’s death in May, featured a photo of Payne, Spurlock, and the other band members at the film’s premiere. 

“Rest in peace Morgan Spurlock it was a pleasure working with you,” Payne captioned the photo. 

Liam Payne and Maya Henry attend the Elton John Aids Foundation's 30th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 27, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. Photo / Getty Images 

Payne rose to international stardom as one-fifth of the English-Irish boy band One Direction, who formed and placed third on the seventh series of the British television series The X Factor in 2010. The group, one of the best-selling boy groups of all time, went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016. 

After the band’s dissolution, Payne embarked on a solo career - releasing the hit single Strip that Down in 2017 and his debut album LP1 in December 2019. 

Born on August 29, 1993 in Wolverhampton, England, Payne first began performing in theatre productions as a young child. 

He was just 14 when he first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008, where he moved onto the second round after performing Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon. He was eliminated at Boot Camp, until host Simon Cowell - who would later sign One Direction to his record label - changed his mind and asked Payne to return. He was eliminated again at the judge’s houses, but was encouraged by Cowell to come back “in two years” - which he did. 

Payne auditioned again in 2010 and was put into a group with fellow solo contestants Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles, which was branded One Direction. 

One Direction soon became teen idols, often sparking widespread hysteria among fans. They embarked on four world tours and released five studio albums - Up All Night (2011), Take Me Home (2012), Midnight Memories (2013), Four (2014), and Made in the A.M. (2015). 

- More to come.