ROBBIE Williams has paid tribute to Liam Payne following his death aged 31.
The former Take That singer said he is overcome with “shock, sadness and confusion”.
Robbie Williams has paid tribute to Liam Payne[/caption]
Robbie has opened up about his own demons in the wake of Liam’s death on Wednesday and told his followers to “be kind”.
He wrote: “How to make sense of the Liam Payne tragedy?
“Obviously, my first feelings towards his passing were like everyone else.
“Shock, sadness and confusion. And to be honest as I write these words that’s where I still am.
“I met the boys on The X Factor and ‘mentored’ them.
“I use the word mentored in inverted brackets cos I hardly did anything to be honest.
“I just hung out with them. They were all cheeky and lovely. I enjoyed the light hearted p*** takery and thought about all the times I was that cheeky p***taker with the Popstars that had gone before me when I was in Take That.
“Our paths have crossed ever since that day and I’m fond of them all.
“Liam’s trials and tribulations were very similar to mine, so it made sense to reach out and offer what I could. So I did.
“I guess in these moments it’s worth repeating –
“WE DON’T KNOW WHATS GOING ON IN PEOPLE’S LIVES.
WHAT PAIN THEY’RE GOING THROUGH AND WHAT MAKES THEM BEHAVE IN THE WAY THAT THEY BEHAVE.
“BEFORE WE REACH TO JUDGEMENT, A BIT OF SLACK NEEDS TO BE GIVEN.
“BEFORE YOU TYPE ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET, HAVE A THINK ‘DO I REALLY NEED TO PUBLISH THIS?’, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT YOU’RE DOING.
“YOU’RE PUBLISHING YOUR THOUGHTS FOR ANYBODY TO READ. EVEN IF YOU DON’T REALLY THINK THAT CELEBRITIES OR THEIR FAMILIES EXIST. THEY FUCKING DO. SKIN AND BONE AND IMMENSELY SENSITIVE.
“I still had my demons at 31. I relapsed. I was in pain. I was in pain because I relapsed.
“I relapsed because of a multitude of painful reasons. I remember Heath Ledger passing and thinking ‘I’m next’.
“By the grace of god and/or dumb luck I’m still here.
“The internet will unfortunately carry on being the internet. The media will unfortunately carry on being the media and fame will carry on being fame.
“As individuals though we have the power to change ourselves. We can be kinder.
“We can be more empathetic. We can at least try to be more compassionate towards ourselves, our family, our friends, strangers in life and strangers on the internet.
“Even famous strangers need your compassion.
“What a Handsome Talented boy. What a tragic painful loss for his friends, family, fans and by the looks of the energy this moment has created – The World.”
