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From viral TikTok videos to a seat on the Loose Women panel, Grace Keeling – known online as GK Barry – has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame, but she’s still not always been so confident.

Grace Keeling, the influencer phenomenon with nearly five million social media followers, has changed the influencer game under her viral handle GK Barry. Despite her online image exuding confidence, Grace revealed in an exclusive interview that she hasn’t always been this assured.

“I used to be really nervous, to do anything or talk to anyone – but everything that I’m doing is pushing me out of my comfort zone and building my confidence,” she admits candidly. The 25 year old’s ascent to fame began with TikTok stardom and has since seen her join the Loose Women panel, host a popular podcast where she interviews A-listers, and soon, take on a new presenting role at the Pride of Britain Awards red carpet event, reports OK!.

From brewing drinks at Costa Coffee to becoming a familiar face across British households, she shares that her unexpected journey into the limelight has fortified her sense of autonomy and community. Recounting her past anxiety struggles, Grace reflects, “When I first started this journey, I wouldn’t even get on public transport on my own. I wouldn’t really speak to people, I was just too nervous to do any of that. Now I’m hopping on the Tube on my own, I’m interviewing everyone under the sun… it’s really made me a lot more independent and confident. It’s all quite surreal,” she divulges.

Grace hosts her popular podcast, Saving Grace, where she has welcomed a myriad of famous faces ( 
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Saving Grace/Youtube)
Despite her success, she admits that she still occasionally battles with nerves. “I get imposter syndrome all the time, especially when I’m interviewing people I’ve grown up watching on telly. I’m just like, ‘How on earth have I got here? ‘ It really is mental.”,. she confesses.

To combat this, Grace jokes: “A glass of prosecco, that eases the nerves! But also, I just remind myself that I have every right to be here as well. It is truly a case of fake it until you make it for me.”

Earlier this year, Grace made history by becoming the youngest-ever panellist on Loose Women. Despite the shift from daily vlogs, she’s proven to be a natural fit for the ITV chat show and absolutely loves it.

“Oh my God, I love Loose Women! My mum is so happy that I’m doing it – she tells everyone. It’s such an amazing show to be a part of, because everyone’s so nice on it.”

She was initially concerned about how she would be received by the show’s audience, given her age and relative obscurity. “When I started Loose Women , I was very aware that most people who watch the show would have no clue who I am, so I did worry they wouldn’t get my sense of humour. But so far, touch wood, I’ve been received really well. I think people have been really welcoming of someone younger on the panel, offering different views and opinions.”

Grace detailed that before finding fame, she struggled with anxiety and couldn’t use public transport alone ( 
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WireImage)

She is set for a presenting slot at next week’s Pride Of Britain Awards ( 
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Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)
Her stint on the show has earned her a new fanbase too. “I’m getting the older generation coming up to me in Tesco and being like, ‘I saw you on Loose Women. ‘ I love it,” she chuckles.

Off the telly, Grace’s hit podcast, Saving Grace, has seen a host of celeb guests from Alison Hammond to Mark Wright. The project even took her on a country-wide tour with live podcast shows, including a sold-out gig at the London Palladium last year, which Grace says was when she realised she’d made it big. “The podcast is so amazing, I love it,” she gushes. When asked about her favourite guests, she responds, “Rob Beckett, Alison Hammond and Tana Mongeau – they’re my top three.”

While Grace’s life may already seem like a rollercoaster, on 21 October she’ll be interviewing star-studded attendees at the Pride of Britain Awards for the second consecutive year, something she’s eagerly anticipating.

“Three years ago, if someone had told me, ‘You’re going to be doing stuff on the Pride of Britain red carpet,’ I’d have been like, ‘Oh, I don’t know if I can do that.’ Now I love it,” she shares. “I’m not nervous, just excited. They’re building me a bar, so I’m going to feel very at home! I’m just going to have as much fun as possible, it’s an amazing place to be. Last year I was pulling people over left, right and centre. I had absolutely no decorum! ” Ambitious presenter Grace has grand plans for the future, confessing her dream is to be a mix of Stacey Dooley and Maya Jama.

She also draws inspiration from Olivia Attwood, who has presented a series of ITV documentaries. Grace reveals her television ambitions, saying: “I’d love to present a documentary, a bit like Olivia Attwood does. I think that would be amazing. I would do everything and anything when it comes to TV. Anyone who wants to snap me up, I’ll do it.”

The 2024 Pride of Britain Awards will be broadcast on ITV1 on Thursday, 24 October 2024 at 8pm

Liam Payne was outspoken about how the global fame of One Direction changed his life and affected his relationship with drugs and alcohol, once admitting: ‘I don’t know if I’ve hit rock bottom yet.’

The star, 31, fell from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires yesterday before medics confirmed his death.

Speaking to Stephen Bartlett on the Diary Of The CEO Podcast in 2021, Liam, admitted: ‘I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where’s rock bottom for me? And you would never have seen it. I’m very good at hiding it’.

‘I don’t even know if I have hit it yet. I can either make that choice now and pick my last moment as my rock bottom or I can make a whole new low.’

He admitted he had suffered for years with ‘social anxiety’ and ‘stress’ from being famous, and discussed the pressure his mental health was under while not having the freedom to go anywhere as a boyband member.

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Liam Payne was outspoken about how the global fame of One Direction changed his life and affected his relationship with alcohol , once admitting: ‘I don’t know if I’ve hit rock bottom yet’

Heartbroken fans around the world pay tribute to Liam Payne

The Wolverhampton teenager first auditioned for the X Factor aged 14 before returning two years later when One Direction was formed.

They became one of the biggest pop groups in the world but six years after they were formed, with more than 20 million albums sold, the band were placed on indefinite hiatus.

The band have revealed how they went straight from The X Factor to stardom, with Liam recalling how his dad told him during the build up to the December X Factor final ‘don’t come home until Christmas the day that I left for the show and I never came home.’

Marking One Direction’s 10th anniversary in 2020, Payne shared a screenshot of a text message he sent to his father on the day he joined the group, reading: ‘I’m in a boyband.’

‘What a journey… I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my dad years ago at this exact time the band was formed,’ he said.

Liam had in recent years talked about his journey to sobriety, and how his drinking began when the global mania for the boyband meant they were often stuck in hotel rooms, where alcohol was readily available.

He told Stephen Bartlett on the Diary Of The CEO Podcast: ‘It feels to me, like when we were in the band. The best way to secure us was to lock us in our rooms, and what is in the room? A mini-bar.

‘So I had a party-for-one that seemed to carry on for many years of my life, and then you look back at how long you’ve been drinking? And Jesus Christ that’s a long time, even for someone as young as I am.’

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Liam recalled how his dad told him during the build up to the December X Factor final ‘don’t come home until Christmas the day that I left for the show and I never came home’ (pictured on the show aged 16)

Rise of Liam Payne: One Direction star’s X Factor journey

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He admitted he had suffered for years with ‘social anxiety’ and ‘stress’ from being famous, and discussed the pressure his mental health was under (pictured in 2023)

In multiple interviews Liam explained how he’d used alcohol to cope with both the massive success of One Direction and their subsequent split, telling Men’s Health Australia in 2019 that ‘it’s difficult when you have the level of fame that we had in the band.’

‘There have been a lot of people in trouble with mental health that aren’t really getting the help that they need, and I think that’s a bit of a problem in our industry,’

‘It’s the same s**t that happens to everyone, that’s been happening since the ’70s. You know what the traps are and if you are lucky enough, like me, to be able to get out of that scenario and back into a sense of normality, then you know it’s a bit different.’

Liam went onto compare going on stage and out in public to ‘putting the Disney costume on,’ admitting: ‘I was [drunk] quite a lot of the time because there was no other way to get your head around what was going on’.

‘I mean, it was fun. We had an absolute blast, but there were certain parts of it where it just got a little bit toxic.’

Liam Payne opens up about his mental health struggles over the years

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Liam said his drinking began when the global mania for the boyband meant they were often stuck in hotel rooms, where alcohol was readily available

Richard Madeley: ‘Liam recently celebrated being 100 days clean’

Speaking on This Morning in late 2019, Liam admitted he was as much scared of success as a solo artist as he was of failure.

‘That was the craziest thing, as the band stopped and we had a number of months off, it was almost like going through some weird, early retirement… it’s trying to find out who you are, what’s your purpose.’

‘I went through a number of different bits of therapy. As Strip That Down was coming out I was almost as afraid of its success as I was the failure which isn’t a very comfortable place to be in life.’

He explained how comedian Russell Brand was among those to guide him through those years, telling This Morning:

‘I went away, I had a thing with drink and it was a guy called Chip Somers who got me sober. I was sober for about a year and visited Russell Brand. We went down to meetings together.’ Brand was a patron of the Focus 12 treatment centre, founded by Somers at the time.

‘For anybody who’s having a problem with mental health, the best thing to do is speak to someone. We’re all as crazy as the next person.’

Fans hold vigil outside hotel where Liam Payne plunged to death

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Speaking on This Morning in late 2019, Liam admitted he was as much scared of success as a solo artist as he was of failure

Ant Middleton comments on whether Liam Payne was battling any demons

Whilst he was spoke about his year of being sober back in 2019, Liam later admitted his addiction continued during the Covid pandemic.

He went through a mental health crisis which he spoke about in 2021 while appearing on Ant Middleton’s Straight Talking programme.

He said he was ‘quite lucky to be here still’, and added: ‘There’s times where that level of loneliness and people getting into you every day every so often… it’s like, ‘When will this end?’… that’s almost nearly killed me a couple of times.’

‘I’ve been in a bad place, it’s definitely been on the menu a couple of times in my life… when things start to pile on top of each other that’s when it can really get you, you really have to change your view about it. One thing you can control in that situation is you.

‘You just get on with it, there will be another hurdle in a few weeks, a few months or maybe even the next day, you never really know.’

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Speaking to Stephen Bartlett on the Diary Of The CEO Podcast in 2021, Liam, admitted: ‘I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where’s rock bottom for me?’

Liam had also reflected on how badly his split from Girls Aloud star Cheryl affected him.

The pair having first met on The X Factor when she was a judge, and amid their whirlwind romnace in March 2017, the couple announced the birth of their son Bear.

The singer would go on to speak proudly of his son in the years to come, saying during one awards ceremony that Bear ‘constantly inspires’ him to be a better person.

But in July 2018, Payne and Cheryl announced their split after two-and-a-half years together, and he was later romantically linked to models Naomi Campbell and Maya Henry.

He opened up about his separation from Cheryl, saying it was tough to break up in the public spotlight and that announcing it was ‘like breaking up twice’.

Speaking to Ant Middleton in 2021 about his son, Liam said: ‘I get lonely if I can’t see Bear for a few days. It seems to the outside world that I have everything but there are so many parts missing. Uncertainty is a big thing in my life, I don’t know how long it will last.

‘Also, my home life situation is problematic and difficult. Distance is difficult. And there are 50 million rumours a week which are hard to ignore. Trust is difficult.

‘Being away from your child out of choice and no choice is difficult to barter with in your head. You know why you’re doing what you’re doing but you wonder what you’re missing out on. Have you got it right?

‘So many people get to the end of their life and go: ‘I wish I’d done this and that.’ I don’t want to be one of those people.’

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Liam had also reflected on how badly his split from Girls Aloud star Cheryl affected him

Dermot O’Leary reflects on the ‘huge pressure’ Liam Payne was under

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The pair having first met on The X Factor when she was a judge, and amid their whirlwind romnace in March 2017, the couple announced the birth of their son Bear

‘My life is his’: Liam Payne reveals finance plans after tragic death

Liam’s battles continued and in July 2023, he posted a video about spending 100 days in a rehab facility in Louisiana, telling fans he was celebrating six months of sobriety.

He said: ‘I just kind of feel like I’ve got more of a grip on life and everything that was getting away from me, I just feel like I’ve got more of a handle on it.

‘I just needed to take a little bit of time out for myself actually because I kind of became somebody who I didn’t really recognise anymore and I’m sure you guys didn’t either. I was in bad shape up until that point and I was really happy to kind of put a stopper to life and work.’

Liam said he hit ‘rock bottom’ after appearing on Logan Paul’s podcast back in June 2022, and apologised for taking his anger out on everybody else.

Liam thanked his son and his ex-girlfriend Cheryl for supporting his decision to get better. He added that his former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik had ‘stuck by me’ and ‘came to my rescue’.

Discussing the infamous podcast, Liam said he ‘came across really big-headed’ and that ‘it was hard for me to watch back’ but that in a way it had ‘saved my life’ by causing him to seek help.

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In 2023, he posted a video about spending 100 days in a rehab facility in Louisiana, telling fans he was celebrating six months of sobriety

Liam Payne 999 call: Panicked hotel worker requests ‘urgent’ help

He explained how it was when he attended a Hans Zimmer concert in January 2023 that he was inspited to give up drinking.

‘I watching this beautiful symphony, I was having a drink, and I thought, ‘You know what? This isn’t really serving me at all. I don’t really need this right now.’ ‘

‘It’s the first time I’ve ever put a drink down and gone to someone else, ‘You finish this, I don’t need this right now.’ And I haven’t picked one up since, which has almost been six months, which I’m excited about.’

‘It’s good. It’s good to be in this position,’ he added. ‘I definitely don’t need those things anymore. The party’s over.’

Despite his July 2023 pledge to continue his sobriety, fans feared for the singer’s health following a string of worrying signs that his life once again had spiralled out of control.

In August last year Liam’s followers shared their concern after he cancelled his tour of South America after being hospitalised with a kidney infection.

Following the news about his condition, his mother Karen shared that she felt ‘helpless’ and was ‘worried sick’.

She told MailOnline at the time: ‘We are all worried sick about it but we just have to get on. It’s horrible – him being all the way over there.

‘All we can really do is sit it out here and hope for the best. There is nothing we can do. We feel helpless.’

Liam opened up about his mental health and revealed doctors diagnosed him with ‘a couple of conditions’ after he spent some time in a wellness clinic in the US last year after hitting ‘rock bottom’.

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Last year, Liam’s followers shared their concern after he cancelled his tour of South America after being hospitalised with a kidney infection

Lucy Powell pays tribute to Liam Payne during Commons speech

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Last year Liam opened up about his mental health and revealed doctors diagnosed him with ‘a couple of conditions’ after he spent some time in a wellness clinic

Liam Payne fan mourns his death in Argentina: I’m completely broken

He shared a candid Instagram post to his Story in which he said he was having a tough day and family and friends could see he was still struggling.

Liam described ‘manic’ instances in his life and his difficulty in staying sober during ‘super low’ moments.

In the clip he admitted to having filmed the video numerous times before deleting it, before finally deciding this was the right time to share his story with his fans.

‘I know in my last video I mentioned I’d been diagnosed with a couple of conditions and I will not to go into too much detail, but one of them I have is, there’s a lot of manic things in my life which you guys saw,’ he said.

He continued: ‘But the other side of it is and that kind of feels like when when I would lose my sobriety in these moments that were super low and I felt like that today.

‘And it’s isolating the two things and seeing them separately and like I know what they are now’.

‘Luckily I have some amazing people around me that kind of look after me but I am sure they can see it in me too that I’m ‘not really here.”’

Stacey Solomon has stepped back from Loose Women and other high profile commitments, but the former X Factor star may have a very good reason for doing so

Stacey Solomon has been gradually withdrawing from various high-profile commitments in recent months, sparking speculation about her future plans. The beloved star has been noticeably absent from Loose Women since announcing a hiatus from the ITV chat show last December – making just one appearance since. Furthermore, Stacey was conspicuously missing from the 25th anniversary portrait of the ITV show, which celebrated its current stars.

The former X Factor contestant is also believed to have stepped back from her popular Channel 4 show Renovation Rescue and declared that she was leaving her role as brand ambassador for In The Style, a position she’s held since 2021, to concentrate on her family. And it’s possible that balancing her highly successful career with her bustling family life became too overwhelming, reports OK!.

Stacey and Joe may be considering another little one, claims a source ( 
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Instagram/@staceysolomon)

They say Stacey is acutely aware of how fast her babies are growing up ( 
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No credit)No one can deny that Stacey’s house is a busy one. She shares Rex, five, Rose, three, and one year old Belle with former EastEnders actor Joe Swash, as well as Leighton, 12, and Zachary, 15, from previous relationships (Joe also has an 18 year old son, Henry, from a past relationship). Now, a source has claimed that devoted mum Stacey, the devoted mum, as she and Joe gear up to introduce their new reality show, Escape To Pickle Cottage – may have plans for expanding their brood.

“Despite all her success, Stacey says being a mum is the best thing that has happened to her and she loves having such a big family, even though it can be hard work,” they revealed. “Belle is turning two soon, and she hates the fact that she’s no longer a baby and she is starting to get broody again. Both her and Joe would love baby number six at some point.”

Stacey has previously, albeit jokingly at times, confessed to feeling broody – and with the family set to open their doors to a TV crew, it seems like an ideal moment for another addition to the clan. In January, the 34 year old caused a stir when she posted a heartwarming clip of her three year old son Rex helping little Belle take her first steps, captioned with ‘Why am I broody?’

Stacey has noticeably stepped back from several roles – including as a popular panelist on Loose Women ( 
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ITV)
Back in May, the celeb shared her ultimate goal to leave television behind to be with her five kids, stating she only wants work that allows her to stay at home. And the insider reveals that with her eldest, Zach, hitting 16, she’s acutely conscious of the fleeting nature of time. “She is only taking on things that work for her as a mum now. Zach is now doing an apprenticeship – so she knows how quickly time goes and she just wants to be with her children as much as she can while they’re little.”

They suggest that a new baby would be a seamless addition to her upcoming reality show. “She could continue to film while pregnant and then the new baby would fit right in with the show and viewers would love it.” The source says Joe, whose mother was a foster carer, is keen on fostering, but Stacey feels she’s not ready for that step yet and believes they haven’t completed their own family. Friends of the duo are reportedly bracing for a significant announcement come 2025.

Stacey and Joe clearly adore kids ( 
Image:
Instagram)

Stacey is a doting mum, and with Belle almost turning two, a source claims she’s ‘broody’ ( 
Image:
Instagram)“Friends are already predicting that Stacey announces a new baby next year, and she would love another little girl so she has three of each – the girls would all be so close growing up”, they revealed. “She also loves seeing how great Joe is as a girl dad. It brings tears to her eyes when he plays fairies and dolls and princesses with them and she wants more of that.”

If Stacey and Joe, who have weathered the highs and lows of family life thus far, truly are contemplating welcoming another tot into their clan, it would be a delightful addition to a loving family – and would only enhance what is already set to be a thrilling peek behind the scenes of their lives at Pickle Cottage.

Olivia Attwood was one of the panellists on Thursday’s episode of Loose Women as she joined Kaye Adams, Penny Lancaster and Katie Piper to pay tribute to Liam Payne following his tragic death

Loose Women’s Olivia Attwood Dack has issued a heartfelt plea to social media users in the wake of Liam Payne’s heartbreaking death.

On the live broadcast of ITV’s daytime programme on Thursday (October 17), Olivia, alongside host Kaye Adams, Penny Lancaster and Katie Piper, honoured the late One Direction sensation who was tragically found deceased on Wednesday at a hotel in Buenos Aires.

Kaye, 61, struck a sombre tone as she commenced the show with a tribute to the singer and shared her condolences for Liam’s loved ones. She then turned to Olivia, asking: “Did you cross paths with him over the years?” to which she confirmed encountering Liam “a couple of times”.

The Loose Women expressed their sadness over the death of Liam Payne ( 
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ITV)
The 33 year old TV personality expressed her grief over Liam’s demise and implored the online community to ‘leave each other alone’. Reflecting on her memories, Olivia said: “I remember vividly the X-Factor journey, I was a fan of the band it’s so tragic.”

She continued, revealing her thoughts: “The first thing of thought of this morning was the last couple of weeks my algorithm on social media has been very full of videos of him, people speculating, taking the mick – and whatever.

“This is not be speculating around what’s happened but why can’t we just leave people alone? If someone is acting in a way that seems unusual, there is probably a reason and making fun of them for viral content is probably not the best approach.”

Liam Payne has died aged 31 ( 
Image:
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Olivia remarked: “I feel like with social media it’s the best and worst of humanities on display and I think before posting things sometimes take a minute and think ‘why are you posting this?’”

Tragedy struck as 31 year old Liam Payne died on Wednesday following a fall from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires’ Palermo district, Argentina, reports Birmingham Live.

Authorities reported that the father-of-one tragically plummeted from the third floor into the inner courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel, where medical personnel later pronounced his death.

Liam Payne‘s fans feared for the singer’s health in the years leading up to his shock death following a string of worrying signs that his life had spiralled out of control.

The singer, who has died age 31, was reported to be acting ‘erratically’ hours before his death and the star’s inner circle were recently said to be fearful for his welfare.

The star’s loyal fan base have also raised their concerns for the troubled star, following a series of concerning displays including an erratic red carpet appearance, shock hospitalisation, cancelled gigs and rambling videos.

Fans of the One Direction star had noted Liam’s bizarre behaviour during recent appearances, which included attending his former bandmate’s concert in Argentina just days ago where he was asked to stop dancing by a security guard.

Another worrying video shows Liam looking strained as he greeted fans, signing autographs and singing his song Familiar, as critics commented on the clip that he looked ‘out of it’.

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Liam Payne ‘s fans feared for the singer’s health in the years leading up to his shock death following a string of worrying signs that his life had spiralled out of control

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In recent years, the singer has suffered a series of bizarre onscreen appearances, most famously, a strange interview after the 2022 Academy Awards when he was asked about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage

WORRYING CLIPS DAYS BEFORE DEATH

Just days before his death, Liam was filmed at Niall’s concert dancing erratically and being spoken to by a security guard as he gesticulated wildly in his private box.

The video, which has been widely shared on TikTok, shows Liam performing to fans in front of him at the concert before being spoken to the guard.

Liam was leading a macarena routine before the gig started, but worried fans noted how the guard was trying to ‘move him on’.

Fans have now called his behaviour a sad cry for help by the star.

One user in the comments section wrote: ‘This was a cry for help I’m sure of it,’ while another agreed and replied: ‘Finally now people are saying this but it’s too late.’

Another social media clip shows Liam greeting fans in Argentina, singing songs and singing autographs for them.

However, it didn’t go unnoticed by social media sleuths that Liam appeared out of sorts during the appearance as they voiced their fears for the star.

In the comments section of the post, fans shared their sadness that the ‘signs were there’ before Liam’s untimely passing.

They said: ‘Bruh the signs were there’; ‘He looks so sad inside, but you all  make him feel so loved and appreciated’; ‘Imagine meeting him on the day before he passes away, I’m sobbing’; and ‘You can literally see the sadness, the pain and depression in his eyes. Reminds me of my friend before she passed away.’

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Just days before his death, Liam was filmed at Niall’s dancing erratically and being spoken to by a security guard as he gesticulate wildly in his private box

Liam Payne dancing at Niall Horan show weeks before his death

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The video, which has been widely shared on TikTok, shows Liam performing to fans in front of him at the concert before being spoken to the guard

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Another social media clip shows Liam greeting fans in Argentina, singing songs and singing autographs for them

RAMBLING VIDEO

Earlier this month, Liam shared a bizarre video on his Snapchat, where he claimed he and his One Direction bandmate Niall ‘needed to talk’.

Sharing a video from bed, Liam spoke about how he was going to see Niall in concert in Argentina, saying: ‘Niall Horan’s playing down there and I think we might just go and say ‘Elloooo!’.

He continued: ‘No bad vibes or anything like that, but we need to talk!’

Commenting on the video, one fan said: ‘Is he okay? Like genuinely?’

This one was concerned: ‘I hope Liam has people who care about him around him.’

A source said to The Sun: ‘Liam’s behaviour has been concerning many in his inner circle for months. For a while things seemed to be looking up for him but over the past year there are fears he is spiralling.

‘He’s no longer around some of his old friends as he’s relocated to America to start a new life out there.’

‘Everyone wants the best for him but things are erratic to say the least.’

Liam Payne claims he and One Direction bandmate Niall ‘need to talk’

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Liam shared a bizarre video on his Snapchat , where he claimed he and his One Direction bandmate Niall ‘needed to talk

CANCELLED GIGS AFTER BEING HOSPITALISED

Last year, Liam’s fans shared their concern after he cancelled his tour of South America after being hospitalised with a kidney infection.

He shared the news with his followers in an Instagram video, after being ordered to ‘rest and recover’ by doctors.

Captioning the post, Liam wrote: ‘It’s with a heavy heart I have to tell you that we have no other choice but to postpone my upcoming tour of South America.

‘Over the past week I’ve been in hospital with a serious kidney infection, it’s something I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and doctors orders are that I now need to rest and recover.

‘I was beyond excited to come play for you guys. To all of you who have bought tickets: I’m so sorry.

August: Liam Payne postpones tour due to severe kidney infection

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Last year, Liam’s fans shared their concern after he cancelled his tour of South America after being hospitalised with a kidney infection

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Sad news: The One Direction star shared the news with his followers in an Instagram video on Friday, after being ordered to ‘rest and recover’ by doctors

‘We’re working to re-schedule the tour as soon as we possibly can, but for now we will be refunding the tickets – so please look out for updates from your point of purchase.

‘Thanks as always for the love and support, and look forward to seeing you soon.’

Sharing a video to announce the news, Liam added: ‘This really is the last news I want to be telling you but basically I’ve been a little bit unwell recently.

‘I ended up in hospital with a bad kidney infection. We started rehearsals and I’ve been advised that now is really not the right time to be travelling on the road while I recover from this.

‘I’ve got the best people around me at home trying to help me recover as we speak, but yeah we’re gonna have to reschedule the tour.’

Following the news about his condition, his mother Karen shared that she felt ‘helpless’ and was ‘worried sick’.

She told MailOnline at the time: ‘We are all worried sick about it but we just have to get on. It’s horrible – him being all the way over there.

‘He’s in Milan and it sounds like he’ll be there for a week. I feel helpless.’

She continued: ‘All we can really do is sit it out here and hope for the best. There is nothing we can do. We feel helpless.’

Karen added that it was ‘such a horrible situation’ and that she hopes he’s in the best place for treatment.

ERRATIC RED CARPET DISPLAY

In recent years, the singer has suffered a series of bizarre onscreen appearances,  most famously, a strange interview after the 2022 Academy Awards when he was asked about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock on stage.

He was speaking live from the red carpet at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s annual Academy Awards viewing party at West Hollywood Park where he defended his friend Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock earlier in the night.

However, the exchange left viewers scratching their heads when he debuted a ‘valley’ twang – before admitting he hadn’t even been on US soil for two years.

In a video posted to Twitter only six days prior to promote Unicef’s Soccer Aid, the Night Changes hitmaker speaks with a notably British accent.

Liam Payne leaves fans confused as he speaks in bizarre accent

Weighing in on the controversy, Liam claimed how there had been ‘three losers in one fight’, adding, ‘He had the right to do what he did’.

He also reminisced on his friendship with the two men, revealing that Will had been his neighbour and claiming he had known Chris since he was a teenager.

Not only did his words confuse viewers as his analysis of the situation was broadcast on UK morning television; but his accent too.

Viewers at home rushed to their keyboards to share their surprise at Liam’s twang, writing, ‘OMG what is this accent? Sort it out Liam, cringe [laughing emoji].’

‘What’s with the accent and what was he actually saying? Rambling word salad.’

‘The Accent Police are out in full force over this clip.’

The clip quickly generated just as much interest as the onstage slap itself as Liam found himself at the centre of an internet storm.

He later clarified he’d had ‘a lot to drink’ on the night in question; but added he is a ‘social chameleon’ whose accent is ‘ever-changing’ depending on who he is around, before insisting he is normally ‘good at accents’.

INTERVIEW BACKLASH

During the interview on the Impaulsive first recorded in the summer of 2022, Liam again worried fans when he took aim at his former bandmate Zayn Malik, causing enough backlash he revealed he did not leave his home for three months.

He suggested his solo career had been the most successful of all the band members and also claimed One Direction was formed around him in the first place.

When asked for his thoughts about Zayn, Liam branded him a ‘d***’ and discussed a post by Malik’s then-girlfriend Gigi Hadid about how her partner was ‘respectful’.

The comment has been interpreted by fans as a reference to the allegation that Gigi’s mother Yolanda Hadid made last year, that Zayn had shoved her into a dresser and called her a ‘f***ing Dutch sl*t’.

Liam Payne details why he ‘dislikes’ former band mate Zayn Malik

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During the interview on the Impaulsive first recorded in the summer of 2022, Liam again worried fans when he took aim at his former bandmate Zayn Malik, causing enough backlash he revealed he did not leave his home for three months

Liam continued to talk about Zayn, saying there were ‘many reasons why I dislike Zayn’ but that he will ‘always be on his side’ because of Zayn’s alleged tough upbringing.

He said: ‘There’s many reasons why I dislike Zayn and there’s many reasons why I’ll always, always be on his side.

‘If I had had to go through what he went through, through his growth and whatever else. You know are your parents very supportive?

‘My parents are overly supportive to the point where it’s annoying at times and they don’t even mind me saying that. And Zayn had a different upbringing in that sense.’

Although he appeared to claim he had sympathy with Zayn and cared for the ex-One Direction member, he received enormous backlash from fans over his comments.

The criticism was so fierce that Liam tweeted a public apology to Zayn later that year, saying he had a ‘chip on my shoulder’ and ‘took it out on everyone else’.

He added that he ‘loves my boys’ appearing to refer to the One Direction members – Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn and Louis.

Liam said that the criticism had led to things going ‘quite dark’ for him and that he didn’t leave his house for three months, but that he was able to laugh at the jokes.

SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

In July 2023, Liam opened up about his mental health and revealed doctors diagnosed him with ‘a couple of conditions’ after he spent some time in a wellness clinic in the US last year after hitting ‘rock bottom’.

He shared a candid Instagram post to his Story in which he said he was having a tough day and family and friends could see he was still struggling.

Liam described ‘manic’ instances in his life and his difficulty in staying sober during ‘super low’ moments.

In the clip he admitted to having filmed the video numerous times before deleting it, before finally deciding this was the right time to share his story with his fans.

He said: ‘So I mean I filmed a bunch for theses over time and deleted them but I don’t know whether this is the right time.’

‘I know in my last video I mentioned I’d been diagnosed with a couple of conditions and I will not to go into too much detail, but one of them I have is, there’s a lot of manic things in my life which you guys saw.’

Liam Payne opens up about his mental health in candid Instagram story

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In July 2023, Liam opened up about his mental health and revealed doctors diagnosed him with ‘a couple of conditions’ after he spent some time in a wellness clinic in the US last year after hitting ‘rock bottom’

He continued: ‘But the other side of it is and that kind of feels like when when I would lose my sobriety in these moments that were super low and I felt like that today.

‘And it’s isolating the two things and seeing them separately and like I know what they are now’.

‘Luckily I have some amazing people around me that kind of look after me but I am sure they can see it in me too that I’m ‘not really here.”’

He captioned the clip: ‘I’ve filmed this same video about 20 times at different points this year and got too scared to put it out by talking myself out of it’.

‘I’m coming to see how fortunate I am to be in the position I’m in… and I wanna give any of you struggling the gift I was given by sharing some of the things I learned form specialists whilst I was away’.

‘First thing I did everyday was check in and its important you don’t bottle up how you feel. Feeling is one of the amazing gifts we had and I blocked things up so long it made me sick and lash out… notice it, allow it to happen and let it pass through. I hope this helps,’ he concluded.

It wasn’t the first time Liam had been candid about his mental health struggles after previously opening up in 2019 about battling suicidal thoughts.

At the time he claimed he was ‘lucky to still be here’.

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It wasn’t the first time Liam had been candid about his mental health struggles after previously opening up in 2019 about battling suicidal thoughts

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He appeared on Straight Talking with Ant Middleton, where he opened up about his mental health and fame

Richard Madeley: ‘Liam recently celebrated being 100 days clean’

He appeared on Straight Talking with Ant Middleton, where he opened up about his mental health and fame.

When asked about his ‘darker’ moments, Liam said: ‘Fame is like having a weird midlife crisis. I am lucky to be here still.’

Asked by Ant to elaborate, Liam was reluctant at first. ‘I can’t go too deep into it, I haven’t made my peace with it…’ he said.

‘There’s times where that level of loneliness and people getting into you every day every so often… that’s almost nearly killed me a couple of times.

‘I’ve been in a bad place… it’s been on the menu a couple of times in my life. Luckily I had great people around me. When things start to pile up on you it can get you, and you can only control you. You have to get on with it

‘You think there’ll be another hurdle in a couple of months, you just need to get on with it. It’s always turned out alright, even in the darkest situations.’

Who is Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy? A look into the One Direction singer’s love after shock death

Liam Payne‘s shocking death at 31 has put the spotlight on his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.

The influencer, 25, was pictured with the late One Direction singer in his final Snapchat post, which was shared just minutes before his tragic death after falling from his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at around 5pm local time on Wednesday.

Payne and Cassidy had been an inseparable couple for around two years before his story came to a shocking end.

Despite some bumps along the road, the two appear to have been together until Payne’s final moments.

Now DailyMail.com takes a look at Payne’s final girlfriend Kate Cassidy as his song ends on a minor key.

A look at the life and career of Liam Payne after he dies at 31

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Liam Payne’s shocking death at 31 has put the spotlight on his girlfriend of two years, Kate Cassidy; pictured together in January 2023 in Dubai

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DailyMail.com takes a look at the influencer after she was featured in Payne’s final Snapchat post sent out just minutes before he died from a fall at his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday — though the image was a repost of a photo from 2023

She has her own career as an influencer

Cassidy was prepared for the spotlight that her romance with Liam brought thanks to her own career as an influencer and social media star.

Cassidy, who was born in New Jersey, had prepared for a career by attending Coastal Carolina University, which she graduated from in 2021.

She later relocated to London, but the globetrotting beauty regularly treated her 109K Instagram followers to stunning views of her trips across the world.

She has posted herself in sizzling outfits at Italy’s Lake Como, in Milan, Paris, St. Tropez, Rome and Spain, among other glamorous locales.

Last year, the two made a show-stopping appearance together at the Wimbledon tennis championships.

Liam also occasionally joined his girlfriend on her Instagram page, though he was a rare sight.

Her new profile also put her in the orbit of other stars aside from her famous boyfriend, including the model and reality star Kendall Jenner.

Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy poses in heart shape dress

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Cassidy was prepared for the spotlight that her romance with Liam brought thanks to her own career as an influencer and social media star

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Cassidy, who was born in New Jersey, had prepared for a career by attending Coastal Carolina University, which she graduated from in 2021

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She later relocated to London and started a career as an influencer. Her 109K Instagram followers got a taste of her trips to Italy’s Lake Como, Milan, Paris, St. Tropez, Rome and Spain, among other glamorous locales

How did she meet Liam?

Cassidy recounted the story of how they met in a video shared less than a month before his death.

In a TikTok video uploaded on September 20, New Jersey native Cassidy recounted how she and Liam met and how their relationship almost never happened at all.

The pair began dating in October 2022 after they met at a bar in Charleston, South Carolina where Cassidy worked as a waitress at the time.

However, in her video, Cassidy told her followers how their meeting almost never happened as she had desperately tried to get off work that evening.

She said: ‘I worked at this bar/lounge place called Ritual. Me and all my friends worked there, it was only my second week at work and I didn’t want to work every weekend.

‘They put me on schedule for week two and I really wanted to get off. I tried everything in my power to get off and nothing worked out.

‘On the way to work my manager texted me and was like “Liam Payne from One Direction is here, you’re going to be taking care of him tonight.” ‘

Cassidy admitted she was ‘freaking out’ when she had to approach Liam’s table and ended up chickening out at first.

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Cassidy recounted the story of how they met in a video shared less than a month before his death

Kate Cassidy on how she met boyfriend Liam Payne

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In a TikTok video uploaded on September 20, New Jersey native Cassidy recounted how she and Liam met and how their relationship almost never happened at all

She said: ‘When I first approached him, I got nervous and stopped and turned around. I guess we made awkward eye contact for a second.

‘We talk about it because he said to [his friend] Conor, “Oh my God, did you see that girl walking over here? I’m not leaving this bar until I get her number.”

‘Then two minutes later I come back around. He was like, “is there anyway I can get a table inside?” He’s literally sitting inside drinking Red Bulls and I didn’t think anything of it, I just thought he was overly friendly, I didn’t think he was flirting with me.’

Cassidy told how everytime she approached his table, Liam offered her to sit down with him and soon asked for her number.

She said: ‘Everytime I came to the table to check up on him, he’d be like sit down! I have family in London and I was like, “Oh I’m going to London to see my cousin” and he was like, “I’d love to be your tour guide when you come.” I was like, OK I’m picking up the sense that you’re flirting with me.

‘He asked for my number and I didn’t realise you had to put the +1 because I’m from America. I just my area code, the 201 and he tried texting me and it kept going green, not delivered.

‘He thought I’d put the wrong number in as in like, not interested. I was freaking out all night and then he realised I forgot to put the +1 and it went through.’

They suffered another mishap later that evening as Cassidy’s phone died when she went to bed and Liam thought she had blocked his number.

She recalled: ‘That night, I actually didn’t plug my phone in before bed so when I woke up in the morning it was dead. Once he finally got the number to go through, he thought I blocked him because it didn’t say delivered.

‘The next morning I texted him and was like so sorry for getting back to you so late, what time is your flight back to England? He was like, before I leave for the airport I can come see you for lunch.

‘We went for lunch which went really well and then went bowling and then went on a ghost tour, we basically had one of our first dates in a graveyard.

‘He extended his flight and then extended it again the next day so he ended up in Charleston for three days. That’s the story of how we met.

‘Literally, everything happens for a meeting. Don’t get off work because you want to go to a party because you never know, you could end up meeting your future husband.’

She and Liam began their romance in October 2022

The former One Direction member’s death came just around two years after he and Cassidy began their relationship.

DailyMail.com published photos of the two together for the first time.

They appeared to be having a great time for Halloween festivities in which she dressed up for the big night as Pamela Anderson, while Payne showed off a bevy of tattoos in a white tank top to transform into her rocker ex-husband Tommy Lee.

Cassidy made it clear she was ready to go Instagram official with the pop superstar when she also posted a photo of their costume on Instagram.

Payne was moving on with the blond bombshell just six months after the tumultuous end of his engagement to Maya Henry.

Earlier this year, amid Payne’s relationship with Cassidy, Henry reignited their conflicts when she published a novel with thinly veiled characters appearing to stand in for herself and her ex, with his book avatar urging the female lead to get an abortion after she got pregnant.

Then, just two days before his death, Henry sent a cease-and-desist letter to Payne to prevent his alleged attempts to repeatedly contact her. She also accused him of ‘weaponizing’ his fans against her in the missive.

A month after Payne and Cassidy made their public debut, they made it clear that the relationship was serious when he appeared again on her Instagram in a post documenting her trip to Rome.

Although they had been coy about their relationship, two came together for a hug in the post.

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Last year, Cassidy and Payne made a show-stopping appearance at Wimbledon in London

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Payne and Cassidy were first pictured together on Halloween in photos published by DailyMail.com. They dressed as Pamela Anderson and her ex-husband Tommy Lee

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A month after Payne and Cassidy made their public debut, they made it clear that the relationship was serious when he appeared again on her Instagram in a post documenting her trip to Rome

Liam and Kate make red-carpet debut in December 2022 — and he defends his love

Two months after they were first linked and went Instagram official, Cassidy and the singing heartthrob celebrated another milestone by going red-carpet official.

They were on Payne’s home turf in London to attend the British Fashion Awards.

He looked stylish in a black suit with peaked lapels and a slim matching tie, and he added a dashing air with some designer stubble over his chiseled jaw.

Cassidy complemented the singer–songwriter with an eye-catching black dress featuring a sky-high slit and diamond-shaped cutouts over her toned midriff.

Her boyfriend showed how crazy he was for her when he commented on her Instagram post from the evening, writing: ‘Who is that lucky lucky dashing young man next to you. nah seriously you look fantastic I coulda just told you that as your on the sofa next to me but you know tech and phones n stuff.’

The red carpet appearance seems to have set off some fans who feared that Cassidy was only interested in Payne for his money after his massive success as part of One Direction.

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Two months after they were first linked and went Instagram official, Cassidy and the singing heartthrob celebrated another milestone by going red-carpet official at the British Fashion Awards in London in December 2022 (pictured)

They attend One Direction pal Louis Tomlinson’s documentary 

Payne even went so far as to integrate his new love into his life as a former One Direction member.

The boy band member–turned–solo artist posed with the influencer on the red carpet of the UK premiere of the documentary All Of Those Voices.

The film charted the path of Liam’s friend and former colleague Louis Tomlinson, from his days with him as part of One Direction through his early years trying to establish himself as a solo artist.

Cassidy posted a photo of the two in the red-carpet outfits to her Instagram account, adding in her caption: ‘What a crazy eye opening experience!’

She added that it was ‘so nice to meet [Tomlinson] finally.’

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Payne even went so far as to integrate his new love into his life as a former One Direction member when they attended the premiere in March 2023 of a documentary about his ex-bandmate Louis Tomlinson

How Liam Payne spent his final days before tragic death in Argentina

The couple weather break-up rumors

In May of 2023, Payne and Cassidy were reported to have broken up.

Rumors of a split had been swirling after the two hadn’t been pictured together since April.

A source told The Sun at the time that Payne was more focused on his music, and Cassidy had allegedly moved out and gone back home to the US.

But in June, the two were pictured together holding hands, signaling that they were back together.

They were spotted leaving Chiltern Firehouse in London after attending Annabel’s 60th Anniversary Party together.

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In May of 2023, Payne and Cassidy were reported to have broken up. A source told The Sun he was focused on his music while she had move out and gone back to the US; seen in February 2023 in London

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But in June, the two were pictured together holding hands at Chiltern Firehouse in London after attending Annabel’s 60th Anniversary Party together (pictured)

Together in his final days

Although the nature of Payne’s tragic death from a multi-story fall and what led up to it are not yet known, Cassidy was with him in his final days.

On Snapchat, he appeared to have documented the couple’s trip to Argentina, and in a rush of Snapchat posts just minutes before his death, he noted that the couple had been ‘waking up at 1pm everyday.’

He also posted a somber shot of himself, which he captioned: ‘Lovely day in Argentina ❤️.’

Significantly, Cassidy appeared with Payne in his final post, but the photo was not new.

Instead, it had previously appeared on Kate’s Instagram on August 29, 2023, in a carousel celebrating her boyfriend’s 30th birthday.

It’s still unclear if the throwback photo held special significance for Payne, but it ended up being the final image he shared with his fans before his untimely death.

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Although the nature of Payne’s tragic death from a multi-story fall and what led up to it are not yet known, Cassidy appears to have been with him in his final days on a trip to Argentina

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In a rush of posts just minutes before his death, he said it was ‘A lovely day in Argentina’ and revealed the two had ‘been waking up at 1pm everyday’ on the trip

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His haunting final post was a photo of himself with a bikini-clad Cassidy as they posed for a mirror selfie. But the photo was more than a year old

Kate leaves Liam in Argentina

Cassidy had left the singer in Argentina to return to the US just two days before his death.

Cassidy shared a video on TikTok revealing that she was flying back to her home in Florida after spending two weeks with Payne in Argentina.

She added that she had originally planned to stay in Argentina for ‘five days,’ and she was ‘so ready to leave.’

‘I was just like, I need to go home,’ she said in the video, which documented her flight back to the US.

Kate and Liam flew to Buenos Aires to watch his former bandmate Niall Horan‘s concert on October 4, and he remained in the country after his girlfriend flew home.

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Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy had left the singer in Argentina to return to the US just two days before his death

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On Monday, Kate had shared a video on TikTok revealing that she was flying back to her home in Florida after spending two weeks with Liam in Argentina

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Kate and Liam originally flew to Buenos Aires to watch his former bandmate Niall Horan ‘s concert on October 4, and he remained in the country after his girlfriend flew home

Liam said ‘Kate makes me happy to be me’

Payne defended his waitress girlfriend from accusations she was only with him for his money and said she made him ‘happy to be me’ and that he had ‘never felt a love like this before’.

In a 2023 TikTok video, she explained: ‘I am the best manifester, and I’m going to show you why.’

Holding up a popsicle stick with a drawing of a brunette man in a white shirt and jeans, labelled Liam, she explained: ‘I drew this when I was 10 years old.’

In the early days of their romance, however, it seemed not everyone was convinced about the relationship, and one fan even sent Liam a DM warning him that Kate was after his cash.

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Holding up a popsicle stick with a drawing of a brunette man in a white shirt and jeans, labelled ‘Liam, she explained: ‘I drew this when I was 10 years old’

Kate Cassidy detailed flight back to the US days before Liam’s death

Liam responded by screenshotting the message and putting it on his Instagram Stories and gushing over his new romance.

He said: ‘Gotta say you could tell me anything and I couldn’t be turned, I’ve never felt a love like I do for Katelyn. We make each other better people.’

Defending her against the gold digger accusations, he said: ‘If it was just for the money I’d give her all of it.

‘It’s not though (please remember I’m hella sexy) and I know I’m fun and a loveable person.

‘And I don’t give a f**k to say that for the first time in my life I’m happy to be me and that’s priceless.’

Cassidy ‘loves the simple things’ in their relationship

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Just days before the shocking death, Liam’s model girlfriend shared a touching post, dedicated to the star

Cassidy shared a heartfelt message telling the singer she ‘loved the simple things’ just days before his tragic death.

Just days before the death, his model girlfriend shared a touching post, dedicated to the star.

The blonde beauty took a snap of the popstar riding horseback in the countryside The Sun reports.

Payne could be seen wearing a casual grey T-shirt as he sat on the horse and spoketo someone who appeared to be helping him.

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

Loose Women’s co-host Brenda Edwards, 55, has opened up about life after cancer, losing her son to drugs and keeping a positive attitude

Loose Women favourite Brenda Edwards is getting used to a new life, one in which cancer could return at any point. The chemo she needed to fight breast cancer in 2016 caused her early menopause. And in 2022 she suffered the devastating death of her music entrepreneur son Jamal, aged 31.

The second she felt a new lump she headed to the hospital for tests, accompanied by fellow Loose Women star and Mirror agony aunt Coleen Nolan. Brenda, 55, says: “Once you’ve had it, you’re told that if there’s anything else, no matter how big or small, to flag it.

Brenda says how grateful she is for her friend, Coleen Nolan ( 
Image:
Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)“It’s nice to have someone like Coleen [Nolan] because she’s so funny. If you’re in a waiting room and thinking of what could be, Coleen is the perfect person to distract you and keep your mind off the worst.”

Three of 59-year-old Coleen’s sisters, Bernie, Anne and Linda, have had breast cancer. Bernie died in July 2013, aged 52, and fellow Mirror columnist Linda, 65, is fighting secondary breast cancer which has spread to her brain.

Thankfully, Brenda was given the all-clear and has been cancer-free for nine years. She joined Loose Women five years ago and soon became one of the show’s most enthusiastic and positive hosts.

But her zest for life and her enthusiasm to take on new challenges inevitably stems from the tough times she has endured. She says: “Having cancer changes anybody, because you face a life of uncertainty, so it does make you appreciate life every day. I’m very grateful for what life brings me. I’ve always been a go-getter but now I’m even more so. If you don’t try, you’ll never know. You might succeed, so I’ll try almost anything.”

One of Brenda’s current aims is a place on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. It was rumoured she was being considered for this series, although that may have clashed with her return as Mama Morton in a UK tour of award-winning musical Chicago.

Brenda with her son Jamal Edwards ( 
Image:
jamaledwards/Instagram)
Brenda did appear on ITV’s Strictly The Real Full Monty to raise cancer awareness. She says: “They had a ­ballroom scene. It was fun but it was tiring. It was only a minute and I was exhausted. I’ve got two left feet, so I’d be more movement than dance.”

Brenda’s warm-hearted nature means she has made close friends with many of her Loose Women co-stars, including Coleen, Charlene White, Ruth Langsford, Judi Love and Kelle Bryan. She hopes many will be able to see her during her stint in Chicago, which starts later this month until March.

Set amid the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, it features classic songs such as All That Jazz and When You’re Good to Mama. Her co-stars are former Strictly dancer Kevin Clifton, 42, as Billy Flynn, and former Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes, 37, as Roxie Hart.

Brenda, who lives in West London, found fame in 2005, finishing fourth in the second series of The X Factor, which was won by current Strictly star Shayne Ward, 40.

Since then, she has had a successful musical theatre career, with roles in the UK tour of Hairspray, We Will Rock You in the West End and appearances at the London Coliseum and the Royal Festival Hall. She also released her debut album in 2011.

Born in Bedfordshire to a Caribbean family, Brenda was raised by relatives following the tragic death of her parents in a car crash when she was four. She spent her childhood singing in a Pentecostal choir and, aged 18, sang at local nightclubs, weddings and funerals.

But she had to take a full-time job to make ends meet and worked in accounts. After The X Factor ­showcased her soulful voice, she was signed up to join the West End cast of Chicago in the West End. She says: “It’s really nice to be back in the Chicago family.

“I’m really glad that they asked me if I’d return. Mama Morton is a very stern keeper of the keys – she runs the jail. Am I anything like her? I wear my heart on my sleeve. I’m not as tough but I’m quite straight to the point.”

Brenda is mum to singer-­songwriter Tanisha, and the two supported each other after the loss of Jamal, the founder of SB.TV whose pioneering music channel helped launch the likes of Ed Sheeran. Jamal died in February 2022 from a heart attack after taking cocaine and drinking alcohol.

In August, Brenda marked what would have been his 34th birthday with a sweet message: “I know Jamal is celebrating his birthday today up above, and you can guarantee I will be doing the same.”

Ed, 33, has said Jamal’s death forced him to kick the drug habit which he developed in his mid-20s. He has said: “I would never, ever, ever touch anything again, because that’s how Jamal died. And that’s just disrespectful to his memory to even go near.”

Just like during the cancer scare, Coleen was also a rock for Brenda during her grief. The agony aunt recently told the Mirror about her surprise and pride at the way Brenda managed to go on. For now, that’s just by keeping busy.

And she knows she has to take care of her own health. That’s why she’s even taking an air fryer on tour, rather than be tempted by unhealthy restaurant or hotel meals.

She says: “Since my cancer I researched what I should eat. I was eating a lot of processed foods and not a lot of veg, so spinach is my best friend. I love broccoli, salmon and chicken, and I try to stay away from sugars and white wine and be sensible. Now I drink gin and tonic, which was Queen Elizabeth’s drink.”

She admits being driven but insists: “I’m not a workaholic but there’s no point in doing a job if you’re not going to do it properly. “My whole family are like that. Yet you’ve got to know when to switch off, because all work and no fun makes you a very dull person.”

For Chicago tour dates see chicagothemusical.com/uk-tour

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

Local police said the 31-year-old singer fell from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina’s capital, before medics confirmed his death.

Pictures showed shocked fans gathering outside the hotel after police cordoned off the area, with forensic investigators in white protective suits and blue gloves seen entering and leaving.

Fans were photographed lighting candles and leaving flowers at the side of the road in an impromptu vigil as they paid tribute to the music star.

The Foreign Office confirmed it is in contact with authorities in Argentina “regarding reports of the death of a British man”. But a spokesman declined to comment any further, including on the identity of the man involved.

In the hours before his death, Payne reportedly posted a video on Snapchat saying: “It’s a lovely day here in Argentina.”

Payne formed boy band One Direction in 2010, alongside Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles, after they individually auditioned for The X Factor. After becoming one of the biggest pop groups in the world, with five albums and four world tours, they went on indefinite hiatus in 2016.

Among those paying tribute to Payne was former X Factor host Dermot O’Leary, who wrote on Instagram: “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.”

Olly Murs, who appeared on The X Factor a year before One Direction, said in a post on Instagram that he was “lost for words”, adding that the pair shared “the same passions”.

The Wanted star Max George said Payne had “supported me a lot” after the death of his bandmate Tom Parker from a brain tumour in March 2022.

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

He admitted his addiction to alcohol continued during the Covid pandemic, but in 2023 he posted a YouTube video confirming he was almost six months sober after nearly 100 days in a US rehab facility.

Earlier this month, Payne attended bandmate Horan’s Argentinian concert alongside his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.

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

The song was one of two tracks that reached the top 10 in the UK official charts, alongside For You with Rita Ora from the film Fifty Shades Freed – which the duo performed at the Brit Awards in 2018.

Payne was in a high-profile relationship with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl between 2016 and 2018 and the couple had a son, Bear, in 2017.

Payne first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 when he was 14, singing Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon, with judge Simon Cowell telling him to return to the ITV talent show two years later.

In 2010, he impressed the judges with a rendition of Michael Buble’s Cry Me A River before being put with four other solo hopefuls at the boot camp stage of the competition – the group which later became One Direction.

In 2012, the boy band won their first Brit Award for best British single for their debut track What Makes You Beautiful, before picking up the Brit global success award a year later.

In 2014 and 2015 they also won best British video for Best Song Ever and You & I respectively.

After Malik left the band, the quartet won best artist video for Drag Me Down in 2016. They picked up the same award a year later for History.

In August 2023, Payne postponed his scheduled tour of South America after suffering a “serious kidney infection”.

He said the infection was something “I wouldn’t wish on anyone” and he had been instructed by doctors to “rest and recover”.

In October that year, he was banned from driving in the UK after admitting a speeding offence.

The singer was reportedly travelling at 43mph in a 30mph zone and was banned from driving for six months, as well as paying a fine.

In August this year, Payne was announced as a judge on a new Netflix show alongside former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and The Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger.

The stars were to judge attempts to create a band, looking at the contestants’ chemistry as they formed groupings in the musical competition series.

 

As well as a bombshell new twist that includes claims of another sensational betrayal from an aide close to Queen Camilla which could spell precipitate the divorce between her and King Charles III. The bombshell news has caused shock waves through the Royal circles, with questions about whether their marriage or even the monarchy can survive.

 

 

Insiders have claimed Camilla’s trusted adviser submitted that her rows with King Charles is at boiling point. There are swirling rumors of a betrayal by Camilla (though what exactly that means is anyone’s guess). Speculation ranges from personal disagreements to potential power struggles within the royal family. As these shocking details emerge, royal watchers are left wondering if the royal couple’s seemingly stable marriage is on the verge of collapse.

For months, there have been whispers of increasing strain between the King and Queen Consort, fueled by differences in how they envision the future of the monarchy. King Charles, known for his dedication to his lifelong duty, is reportedly growing frustrated with Camilla’s influence over key royal decisions. Meanwhile, Camilla’s adviser claims that she feels overshadowed by the legacy of Charles’s first wife, the beloved Princess Diana, which continues to affect her public image.

These revelations have sparked rumors of a looming divorce, which could shake the foundations of the royal family. Some insiders even suggest that a formal separation could be imminent, with negotiations already underway behind palace walls. Should this happen, it would mark one of the most shocking splits in royal history, with far-reaching implications for the monarchy and its future.
As more details emerge, the public waits in suspense to see how King Charles and Queen Camilla will respond to these explosive allegations. Could this be the beginning of the end for their royal marriage, or is there still hope for reconciliation? Only time will tell.

 

The annual Pat Tillman Award ceremony is a solemn occasion that honors the legacy of the fallen U.S. Army veteran who gave his life serving his country. This event celebrates the achievements of those who have followed in Tillman’s footsteps, embodying his spirit of leadership, creativity, and civic engagement. The ceremony is a powerful tribute to the heroic men and women who have dedicated themselves to causes greater than personal gain.

 

However, the 2024 edition of this ceremony was threatened to be overshadowed by the personal agendas of a different pair of public figures – Britain’s Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle. Reports indicate that Harry was initially slated to receive the prestigious Tillman Award, but the honor was ultimately rescinded after Meghan expressed a desire to deliver a speech at the event. The Pat Tillman Foundation made this decision out of concern that Meghan’s participation would shift the spotlight away from the courageous veterans being recognized and instead turn the ceremony into a platform for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s ongoing public disputes.

As a representative for the foundation explained, they wanted to keep the focus on honoring Tillman’s legacy and the brave service members who have followed his example, rather than allowing the event to become a stage for any particular celebrity or controversy. Tillman himself embodied the values of selfless service – he was a professional football player who abandoned his lucrative sports career to enlist in the Army after 9/11, ultimately making the ultimate sacrifice when he was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan in 2004. The annual award bearing his name is intended to uplift those who have made similar choices to dedicate themselves to something greater than personal gain.

Unfortunately, it seems Harry and Meghan were more preoccupied with asserting their own importance than honoring Tillman’s legacy. Critics accused Meghan of seeking to “gate-crash” the ceremony, using it as a platform to promote her “me, me, me” messages rather than celebrating the award recipients. The foundation was right to keep them out, as “this wasn’t the place for that kind of self-aggrandizement.” The organization stated they wanted to avoid any controversy that could distract from the true purpose of the event, including the Sussexes’ ongoing public feuds with the British royal family.

Ultimately, the Pat Tillman Foundation made the right call in rescinding Harry’s award, preserving the solemnity and purpose of the ceremony. The focus had to take precedence over appeasing the personal vanities of a celebrity couple. As the organization stated, they were committed to keeping the spotlight on the heroic veterans being honored, not on Harry and Meghan’s ongoing public dramas.

While supporters have argued that Harry’s own extensive work supporting veterans should have been recognized, the Pat Tillman Award specifically honors those who have followed Tillman’s selfless example of service. In that regard, it’s questionable whether Harry truly measures up, as he has since built a lucrative media career and lifestyle centered on his own celebrity, rather than continuing to put service before self-interest. His wife Meghan has also been accused of using military causes as mere PR opportunities.

It’s a shame that the Sussexes couldn’t see beyond their own egos for the sake of respecting Tillman’s legacy, but perhaps this episode can serve as a lesson that true leadership and service require humility – traits that Harry and Meghan have sometimes struggled to demonstrate. The real heroes being celebrated at the Pat Tillman Award are the ones who dedicated their lives to causes greater than themselves. That is the standard the royals should strive to meet, rather than engaging in self-serving stunts.

In the end, the ceremony went on as planned, honoring the brave men and women who have followed in Tillman’s footsteps. Their stories of courage and selflessness were the true stars of the show, not the Sussexes and their demand for attention. It was a powerful reminder that sometimes the best thing public figures can do is get out of the way and let the real heroes shine.

Niall Horan’s brother shared an emotional tribute to Liam Payne after the One Direction star’s tragic death at age 31.

Greg, 37, detailed heartbreak and praised the ‘top young man’ for looking after his younger brother Niall during their time in the band.

 

In the update, shared to his Instagram, he recalled the first time he met Liam and the moment their families came together.

Liam died in Buenos Aires after falling from a hotel on Wednesday evening. Several witnesses said he had fallen from his room at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel shortly after 5pm (ART).

Greg wrote: ‘To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement a weird feeling this morning and all night.’

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Niall Horan’s brother shared an emotional tribute to Liam Payne after the One Direction star’s tragic death at age 31

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Liam Died in Buenos Aires after falling from a hotel on Wednesday. Several witnesses said he had fallen from his room at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel after 5pm (ART) (pictured in 2023)

He continued: ‘You were a top young boy to a man, a son, a brother, you are only one of 4 lads I was happy enough to take my place in Niall’s life as a brother.

‘You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.

‘My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.

’10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on the all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x’

Elsewhere, Harry Styles’ mother Anne Twist shared her grief over the sudden passing Liam.

Anne, 56, took to Instagram posting a broken heart emoji over a black screen, with the caption: ‘Just a boy…’ alongside another broken heart.

Her 2.5 million followers expressed similar sentiments, with one writing, ‘Tragic and heartbreaking.’

‘I am in total shock. My condolences to your family and also to his family and friends,’ another added.

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Greg, 37, detailed heartbreak and praised the ‘top young man’ for looking after his younger brother Niall during their time in the band (Niall and Greg pictured in 2013)

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In the update, shared to his Instagram, he recalled the first time he met Liam and the moment their families came together

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Elsewhere, Harry Styles’ mother Anne Twist shared her grief over the sudden passing Liam (pictured in 2013)

Liam Payne’s final messages on Snapchat during trip to Argentina

The English star rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction, alongside his former bandmates Harry, 30, Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32.

The popstar had reportedly arrived in the Latin American country earlier this month to attend his ex bandmate Horan‘s concert.

Local police have since launched an investigation into the sudden death, as tributes flood in the wake of the tragedy.

A statement from local police said they arrived to the hotel after they were ‘informed of an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol’.

Officials heard a loud sound in the courtyard before discovering his body just after 5pm, reported the BBC.

According to TMZ, Liam ‘had been acting erratic in the hotel lobby and smashed his laptop’ before he ‘had to be carried back to his room’.

Police had received a call from a worker at the hotel requesting urgent help with an intoxicated guest, according to audio related to the case obtained from the Buenos Aires security ministry.

‘When he is conscious he is destroying the entire room and we need you to send someone,’ the worker said.

Emergency medical services director Alberto Crescenti said Liam had suffered ‘very serious injuries after falling from a third floor into an internal courtyard’.

‘We verified his identity using the passport he had,’ he said.

‘Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal. There was no possibility of resuscitating him.’

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Anne took to Instagram posting a broken heart emoji over a black screen

In the caption she wrote: ‘Just a boy…’ alongside another broken heart

Her 2.5 million followers expressed similar sentiments, with one writing, ‘Tragic and heartbreaking’ and another adding, ‘I am in total shock’

Mr Crescenti told Argentine newspaper Clarin that ‘the team saw that he apparently had a fracture at the base of the skull’.

His body was transported to a local morgue where a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Unverified pictures have since emerged online claiming to be Liam’s hotel room completely trashed with one image showing a smashed television screen

The star’s final Snapchat post showed him happily posing with his partner Kate Cassidy as they looked into a mirror – a picture which was originally taken last August.

Further posts from the final moments of the star’s life showed him enjoying lunch in his hotel room, where he revealed the pair had been ‘waking up at 1pm every day’ and deciding on Forest Gump as a Halloween costume.

A further tragic selfie was captioned: ‘Lovely day in Argentina’ before the star shared a photo of his hotel, writing: ‘Happy I got some time away’ followed by a heart emoji.

He shared a further photo with Kate captioned: ‘Quality time.’

There has been an outpouring of tributes online, with fellow former X Factor contestants Jedward writing: ‘RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to his friends and family.’

They added: ‘Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear, and all the One Direction family.’

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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

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The popstar had reportedly arrived in the Latin American country earlier this month to attend his ex bandmate Niall Horan’s concert

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A heartbreaking video shows Liam singing and dancing at Horan’s concert in Argentina just days before he was found dead

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Payne’s haunting final social media post showed him spending time with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy

Paris Hilton wrote: ‘So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family and loves ones. RIP my friend.

Stephen Bartlett penned: ‘I cannot believe what I’m reading about Liam Payne. Absolutely heartbreaking.’

MTV released the following tribute: ‘We’re deeply saddened to learn of Liam Payne’s tragic passing today. During this difficult time, our hearts remain with his family, loved one, and fans.’

He and his former bandmates Harry, Niall, Zayn, and Louis, 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.

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 contract with Syco.

Keen to capitalize on the boys’ already devoted fanbase, Cowell moved quickly with recording for the band’s debut album beginning in January 2011.

By September of that year One Direction’s first single was released with What Makes You Beautiful soaring to number one on the UK Singles Chart, after becoming the most pre-ordered Sony Music Entertainment single in history.

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In 2019, Liam candidly revealed he wouldn’t known what to say to Harry, due to how different they’ve become, calling himself the ‘antichrist version’; Harry and Liam seen in 2015

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‘I was looking at some pictures of him the other day, and I just thought: “I don’t know what more I’d say to him other than, ‘Hello’ and ‘How are you?” he shared; they are seen in 2015

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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

Their debut album, Up All Night was also a best seller, becoming the UK’s fastest-selling debut album of 2011, with the record leading to their first tour which kicked off in the UK that December.

After Malik announced his departure from the band in 2015, the band members went their separate ways.

During their time as a group, One Direction won five Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, amassed over three billion YouTube views and sold 50 million records worldwide.

After releasing five albums with one of the biggest boybands of all time, Liam released his first — and only — solo album titled LP1 in 2019.

In 2019, Liam very candidly revealed that he wouldn’t even known what to say to his former band mate Harry, due to how different they’ve become, and that thinks his clothes are ‘weird.’

Speaking during an interview with The Face magazine, Liam admitted that there is now a ‘mystery’ surrounding Harry and his transformation into a solo artist.

Discussing the star, he said: ‘There’s so much mystery around who he’s become. I was looking at some pictures of him the other day, and I just thought: “I don’t know what more I’d say to him other than, ‘Hello’ and ‘How are you?”.

Liam went on to make clear the disparity between the two artists and pointed out that the music they are currently making is very different.

He said: ‘I mean, look at the stuff I put out and the stuff Harry puts out. Polar opposite. I’m like the antichrist version of what Harry is.’

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During their time as a band, One Direction won five Brit Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, amassed over three billion YouTube views and sold 50 million records worldwide; seen in 2010

While Liam’s outfit choices leaned towards more mainstream style, he was quizzed on what he thinks of Harry’s ‘big trousers’ and he didn’t mince his words.

He replied: ‘… I couldn’t put myself in that. I’d look f**king… It’d look weird.’

That same year he also spoke with Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa and said: ‘I haven’t seen or heard from Harry in some time now, which is fine, everyone needs their space.’

‘Would I like to get back together? Yeah, definitely. I don’t see any reason why we can’t but if that’s the way he feels that’s up to him really.’