Liam Payne’s heart breaking battle against his demons: How One Direction star checked into rehab weeks ago to try and get his life back on track – as Cheryl joins the world in paying tribute

Liam Payne checked into a rehab facility just weeks ago in an attempt to get his life back on track, but tragically left after only two days.

The One Direction star, who passed away in Argentina on Wednesday, had secured himself a place at The Priory, an addiction and mental health hospital in South West London, in late July.

The Sun reported that the 31-year-old signed up to their 28-day Addiction Therapy Programme to finally overcome his demons for his son Bear, 7, and his family.

But the £5000-per-night facility proved too much for Payne and he checked out after just 48-hours, as sources alleged that ‘he barely left his room’ and ‘failed to attend any classes’.

Liam Payne died on Wednesday after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was just 31

Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy posted a picture of the pair on her Instagram from last August

Alongside her touching tribute to the late 31-year-old Cheryl posted a picture of the father and his son

A source who spoke to The Sun alleged that: ‘Family and management did everything they could. Liam was loved, adored and incredibly talented. But he just couldn’t beat his demons.

‘It got so bad that last year management begged him not to drive, it was dangerous. Loved ones hid his keys but he just bought another car.

‘There is some solace in his loved ones knowing he was aware how much everyone was rooting for him. He confronted his issues head-on, hoping to get back on track.’

The singer was pronounced dead at the scene after falling 45ft from the balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires.

Tributes have flooded in for the popstar from millions of friends and fans of Payne, including the mother of his child Cheryl Cole.

The Girls Aloud singer was previously in a relationship with him for two years, with the pair welcoming Bear Grey, into the world on March 22, 2017.

The grieving mother has taken to Instagram telling of her anguish as she tries ‘navigate this earth shattering event’.

Her statement read: ‘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.’

The Girls Aloud singer was previously in a relationship with Payne for two years, with the pair welcoming their child Bear Grey into the world on March 22, 2017

Before his sudden death at around 5pm (ART) , the pop star had been attending his former bandmate Niall Horan’s tour in the Latin American country.

A heartbreaking video shows Liam Payne singing and dancing at the concert with his current partner Kate Cassidy.

Following the gig, to fans delight he posted a picture with Niall to Snapchat captioned: ‘Reunited.’

Kate also broke her silence earlier tonight after his tragic death. She took to Instagram to express her saddness, as she told her followers ‘I have been at a complete loss’, ‘nothing feels real’.

The 25-year-old wrote that she will love her ‘angel’ ‘for the rest of her life’, adding in the tribute ‘444’ which is considered an angel number in numerology.

Kate and Liam first started dating in October 2022, and made their red carpet debut at the Fashion Awards later that year.

Just days before his death, Kate shared a touching post, dedicated to the singer.

The blonde beauty took a snap of the popstar riding horseback in the countryside. Liam could be seen wearing a casual grey T-shirt as he sat on the horse and spoke to someone who appeared to be helping him.

Over the picture, Kate wrote: ‘I am very grateful for the simple things in life’.

Before the singer’s death, he had stared a final Snapchat post showed him happily posing with Kate as they looked into a mirror. A picture originally taken last August.

In a joint statement released last night, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles said they were ‘completely devastated.’

‘In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,’ they said.

Liam Payne arrives for a film premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in November 2010

The English star rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction, alongside his former bandmates Harry, Niall, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson; (L-R) Liam, Niall, Louis, Zayn and Harry in 2013

Several witnesses said Payne had fallen from his room at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel shortly after 5pm (ART) Wednesday evening; he is seen in 2018

‘But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.

‘The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.

‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.’

Liam began his pursuit to stardom when he initially auditioned for X Factor in 2008.

At only 14-years-old Liam impressed judges with his own version of Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra – but was later eliminated from the show.

However Payne gave his singing career another go auditioning for the competition again in 2010, where he quickly shot to fame as part of One Direction.

He and his former bandmates Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, were brought together by Simon Cowell and former judge Nicole Scherzinger who saw their potential as a group.

After just a few weeks of getting to know each other and non-stop rehearsing, the group impressed Simon at their Judge’s Houses audition and sailed through to the live shows.

The pop Svengali later admitted to Rolling Stone that it took him ‘about a millionth of a second’ to spot the group’s worldwide potential.

The fan reaction was instant too, with 1D hysteria soon dwarfing the show. Despite the adoration, the band ultimately finished in third place on the X Factor but shortly afterwards Cowell sealed their fate by signing the fivesome to a reported £2million Syco contract.