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Harry Styles posts emotional tribute to Liam Payne whose ‘greatest joy was making other people happy’ after tragic death
HARRY Styles has paid tribute to Liam Payne after the star’s tragic death in Argentina yesterday.
The former One Direction singer shared a picture of Liam alongside a heartfelt statement that said his “greatest joy was making other people happy”.
Harry wrote on Instagram: “I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing.
“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
“He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.
“The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.”
Singer and dad-of-one Liam, 31, was in Buenos Aires for his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s tour when he died after falling from his third floor hotel balcony on Wednesday afternoon.
His autopsy revealed the star suffered severe injuries that led to “internal and external haemorrhaging”.
Emergency services confirmed he died instantly from multiple injuries including a fractured skull.
One Direction paid tribute to Liam as a group earlier on Thursday, saying in a statement: “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
“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.”
The former One Director member was said to be “behaving erratically” shortly before his death with witnesses claiming he had to be carried back to his room.
Argentinian cops said they were called to the hotel on Wednesday after staff reported an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.
Witnesses at the hotel reported Liam smashed his laptop and he had even had to be carried back to his room,
The hotel’s head of reception made two frantic calls to emergency services and can be heard saying: “We have a guest who is destroying everything in his room. We need someone to come.
“They must be in a room that has a balcony. And well, we’re a little bit worried he’ll do something, that he’ll put his life at risk.”
Water giants want even more cash from hard-pressed customers – by adding £100 to bills over five years
WATER giants want to flush out even more cash from hard-pressed customers by adding another £100 to bills over five years.
The biggest suppliers in England and Wales say they need price rises above the levels they have already asked for, despite the regulator telling them that even those amounts were too high.
In July, Ofwat said bills could go up by an average of £94 in the period up to 2030 — a 21 per cent hike, typically working out at an extra £19 a year.
But most companies have now submitted new plans, saying they need to cover urgent investment to cut sewage spills and combat leaky pipes, as well as higher debt interest costs.
It emerged as one provider, United Utilities, was yesterday accused of failing to report more than 100million litres of raw sewage being illegally dumped into Lake Windermere over a three-year period.
Southern Water has already asked to lift bills by 72 per cent from £420.35 a year to £627 a year. Ofwat said in July this should be limited to 44 per cent, but now bosses want more.
Troubled Thames Water says it needs to raise bills by 59 per cent to survive, but Ofwat wants a limit of 23 per cent.
Thames creditors argue that unless Ofwat approves the bigger rise, investors will desert the business and it could run out of cash by the New Year.
They say that could create a domino effect, causing an overall lack of appetite to invest in UK infrastructure.
Family’s back at N Brown
THE fashion group behind Jacamo, JD Williams and Simply Be is being taken private in a £191million deal by the family that built the business up 60 years ago.
Joshua Alliance is to pay 40p per share for the 40 per cent of the N Brown Group that his family does not already own.
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has 20 per cent and will make a sizeable profit after upping its stake in February when the shares were sitting at only 18p.
The stock price of N Brown, which recently called on TV’s Denise van Outen to front JD Williams adverts, jumped by 45 per cent yesterday on the back of the bid.
Mr Alliance, 35, has a 6.6 per cent stake while his father, 92-year-old Lord David Alliance, who bought the business in 1963, has 53.4 per cent.
Lord David was once known as the King of British Textile for his empire that included Coats Viyella.
He started his career working in bazaars in Iran before moving to Manchester to work in the rag trade.
Joshua Alliance said N Brown would be better off in private hands because, due to its current shareholder ownership, it is “not benefiting from being listed on the AIM market — whilst having to bear significant costs associated with its listing”.
He said: “In the business’s current cycle of evolution, we will be able to achieve this growth potential more successfully away from the public markets.”
Taking a break in revenue
KITKAT maker Nestle has halved its growth expectations for the year after blaming weaker demand and boycotts linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
The world’s biggest food group said its sales would grow by around 2 per cent this year, rather than the 4 per cent expectation it had at the start of the year.
It said its growth was impacted by “soft consumer demand and consumer hesitancy towards global brands, linked to geopolitical tension”.
The cost of living crisis has also prompted many shoppers to turn their back on many big brands, which have raised prices and shrunk packets to boost their profits.
The Swiss food giant follows global giants Starbucks and McDonald’s in being impacted by boycotts linked to the conflict in Gaza.
Nestle has become a target for the boycott due to its stake in Israeli food seller Osem.
Buy now, pay safer
SHOPPERS will be protected by new rules around “Buy Now, Pay Later” firms, the City watchdog has confirmed.
Regulation around BNPL products, such as Klarna and Clearpay, will finally kick in by early 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority has said.
Proposals to regulate BNPL were first touted in 2021. The new rules will mean firms must follow the same laws covering credit cards and customers will be protected if things go wrong.
30 fired at Meta
FACEBOOK’S Mark Zuckerberg has fired almost 30 workers on six-figure salaries for using meal credits to buy goods such as wine glasses.
Staff at Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, were being paid £300,000 but still received perks including free meal vouchers to buy breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A probe found the sacked workers had used them to buy toothpaste and cosmetics.
Meta, worth £1.1trillion, has led an efficiency drive which has included 21,000 lay-offs in the past two years.
THE boss of Ladbrokes owner Entain has lifted its profit forecasts after a boost from the recent Euros and NFL matches. But Gavin Isaacs yesterday also warned the Government that a tax grab on the gambling sector would lead to job losses.
£571M in scams
BRITS had more than £571million stolen by fraudsters and scammers in the first six months of the year.
There were almost 2,000 cases of romance scams, with customers losing £14.5million, says UK Finance data.
Criminals posing as bank staff or police stole £32.3million, while fraudsters pretending to be bosses to trick victims into transferring cash led to a £7.8million loss.
Banks are calling on social media firms to help tackle scammers at source because most fraud starts online.
SHARES
- BARCLAYS up 8.05 to 245.10
- BP up 4.55 to 400.00
- CENTRICA up 0.90 to 125.60
- HSBC up 5.20 to 678.00
- LLOYDS up 0.66 to 61.86
- MARKS & SPENCER down 2.60 to 390.80
- NATWEST up 7.70 to 362.80
- ROYAL MAIL flat 0.00 at 343.80
- J SAINSBURY up 4.20 to 278.80
- SHELL up 22.00 to 2,554.50
- TESCO up 7.00 to 362.10
The most unusual jobs on offer this Christmas as 40,000 temp roles are up for grabs
THE annual festive hiring spree is officially in full swing, with another 40,000 Christmas temp jobs up for grabs this week.
Seasonal positions are a great way to test out different sectors and to see if it’s an area you would like work in longer term.
Taking on an unconventional temp job will help you develop a new skillset, build your network and make your CV stand out when you apply for jobs in the future.
This week Sunemployment brings you some of the most unusual festive jobs on offer . . .
Warwick Castle needs 15 ice rink hosts and two ice rink team leaders. Apply at merlincareers.com.
Posh baker Cutter & Squidge has just launched in John Lewis and is hiring 30 more staff to meet demand for luxury Christmas hampers and cakes.
Co-founder Emily Lui said: “We hire on a combination of positive attitude and energy rather than a whole host of qualifications.
“Oh, and a love of cake also goes a long way too!”
Apply at cutterandsquidge.com.
Have you got what it takes to work in a Christmas grotto?
Great Grottos is recruiting for elves, grotto managers and Santas at greatgrottos.co.uk.
Full training is given but Santas must be aged at least 28. Full and part-time positions available and wages are paid every fortnight.
If you’re a dab hand at ensuring presents look perfect, most major department stores are searching for in-store Christmas gift wrappers.
See jobsearch.selfridges.com, harrodscareers.com and janemeans.com/pages/gift-wrapping-jobs.
Love a Christmas selection box? Then apply to Cadbury World.
The Birmingham attraction is hiring six retail hosts to refill shelves and help on the tills, plus 13 chocolate demonstrators, with the possibility of a permanent job.
Carmen Martin-Smith joined Cadbury World as a festive chocolate-making temp and now works as a permanent chocolate creator.
Carmen, 32, from King’s Norton, Birmingham, said: “I didn’t know a chocolate creator was even a career choice until I started at Cadbury World.
“It’s not like any other job. I love getting creative and I even train new colleagues how to make the handmade items.
“I only have to say my job title is Cadbury World chocolate creator and people are always interested in what it involves.
“If you are thinking of applying for an unusual Christmas job I would say definitely, give it a go.
“Plus, I get to work with chocolate every day, and who wouldn’t want that?”
Gerrard Baldwin, general manager at Cadbury World, said: “Our colleagues play such an important role in delivering the magic of Christmas.”
A SUPER ROLE FOR TEMPS
FOR a super seasonal job, try your local supermarket.
They are among the biggest recruiters of festive temp staff, and this year Tesco is taking on 26,000 Christmas helpers.
Positions are available in the retail giant’s superstores and Extra shops, packing for online deliveries and in store replenishment.
Alexandra Brown, group people services director, said: “We’re looking for people who enjoy working as part of a team and are prepared to go that extra mile to help our customers.”
Jay Styles started as a festive temp but is now a permanent staff member on the checkouts at Tesco’s Hednesford store, in Cannock Chase, Staffs.
Jay said: “Growing up with autism, I found socialising really difficult and never fitted in. I also suffered from low self-esteem and confidence.
“Once I started working at Tesco I felt my confidence grow and I have much more faith in my abilities.
“I was made permanent after my role as a Christmas festive colleague and received great feedback from customers.
“I always feel supported by Tesco and the management team and would highly recommend Tesco as a great place to work.”
Apply at tesco-careers.com/festive.
ALDI is hiring 3,500 store staff at aldirecruitment.co.uk, with pay rates from £12.40 per hour.
MORRISONS needs 3,000 extra people to work across its stores, food manufacturing sites and logistics operations. See morrisons.jobs.
The Co-op also needs 400 new staff. See jobs.coop.co.uk.
Jobspot
PUB chain the Liberation Group is hiring 200 staff for front and back-of-house roles.
The company has more than 120 pubs across South West England and the Channel Islands. Search for jobs at careers.butcombebrewery.com.
IT’S NOT JUST FOR XMAS…
EACH year, around one in five festive temps gets an extra present in the shape of a permanent job at their Christmas employer.
If you’d like to turn your seasonal post into a serious career, try this Santa’s sackful of tips, from Department for Work and Pensions work coaches.
ASK ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES: Enjoying your job? Let your manager know you are keen to stay on with the company. If you see a suitable vacancy, apply while you are still working there.
HAVE A CAN-DO ATTITUDE: Approach every task with positivity. Even when the role may be difficult, show determination to get it done well.
BE A TEAM PLAYER: Consider what tasks need to be done by your department and how you can add value.
BE PROACTIVE: When you have finished a task, ask your manager or colleagues if there is anything else you can do to help.
ASK FOR FEEDBACK: Requesting this from your colleagues and your manager will show you have a desire to improve and that you are thinking long-term on how you can develop personally but also within the team.
SHOW YOUR POTENTIAL: Ask if you can shadow colleagues in departments of interest and use it as a work experience exercise.
GET PARCELS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO
IT’S not just Father Christmas who busily needs helpers at this time of year.
Logistics firms have thousands of jobs on offer to deliver gifts and parcels across the nation.
DPD is taking on 200 warehouse operatives and drivers (3.5t, 7.5t and Class 1), on fixed-term contracts. See jobs.dpd.co.uk.
There are also 1,000 jobs for self-employed, permanent owner drivers at drivers.dpd.co.uk/apply.
GXO needs 1,500 staff, including warehouse operatives, forklift and HGV drivers. See jobs.gxo.com. Eddie Stobart has more than 100 driver vacancies.
Email your CV to careers@eddiestobart.com.
EVRI needs 5,000 self-employed couriers, with working patterns right across the seven days of the week.
Gary Robinson, director of couriers, said: “As we head into our busiest time of year, we have lots of vacancies for those seeking a role that puts them in control of setting their own workload, with opportunities spanning beyond Christmas.”
See beacourier.co.uk.
Jobspot
THE Sweet Hamper Company based in Tiptree, Essex, is taking on ten festive pickers and packers.
For more details and to apply, see sweethampercompany.co.uk/pages/careers.
We were thought of as just weird people from Bath in the 80s, say Tears for Fears ahead of first live album
TEARS For Fears are at their absolute best live – and they know it.
After 40 years, they are releasing their first live album and a film of one of their brilliant shows.
Songs For A Nervous Planet and Tears For Fears Live (A Tipping Point film) showcase the band at the peak of their powers.
“For those who haven’t seen us live, we are playing our finest shows,” says bassist and singer Curt Smith.
“Our most recent album (2022’s The Tipping Point) showed we still had something to offer.
“It was well received and it had a strong narrative,” says guitarist and singer Roland Orzabal.
“It’s been a joy to play those songs live.”
Both of Tears For Fears are jet-lagged when we meet at their central London record company offices as Smith has flown in from his LA home the night before while Orzabal has arrived from Boston.
There’s a table of soft drinks and fruit to keep them fuelled for back-to-back interviews and the special premiere of their film the following evening.
Tired but chatty, they joke about what they will wear for their film screening.
“What’s wrong with the outfits we are wearing now?” laughs Smith.
“The film is not just for fans but for people who haven’t seen us play live, or those who missed the shows we had to cancel.”
It’s unfinished business for Tears For Fears, who were forced to cancel the remaining dates of their UK Tour in 2022 after Smith broke his ribs.
“It was soul- destroying when that happened,” he says.
“It upset me immensely to not finish that tour because it was going so well.
“It was just one of those freak accidents.
“I thought the bus had stopped but it hadn’t — so I’d stood up to get my bag then the bus jolted forward, and I flew back and literally caught the edge of a table right against my ribs.
“It was so painful.
“I woke up the next morning in agony.
“They could see one cracked rib on the sonogram and said there was no way I could sing.
“When I got back to LA and had a full scan, my doctor told me I had fractured four ribs.”
The film and album’s live recordings were captured at the FirstBank Amphitheater in Franklin, Tennessee.
How did they cope performing with cameras in their faces?
“We were relaxed until we got on stage,” says Smith.
‘UNFINISHED BUSINESS’
“It’s a double-edged sword.
“I don’t think we look as relaxed as we have done in concert.
“But did we play well? Yes, because we concentrated on playing well.
“You are very self-conscious about playing and singing, but it ended up being the best recording.”
Orzabal adds: “When we headlined Radio 2 In The Park in Leicester last year, I was more relaxed.
“Maybe I was more drunk, or it was because lots of other artists were playing, too.
“Sharleen from Texas popped into the dressing room and she’s hilarious.”
Smith says: “We would like to do more of those things as we thoroughly enjoy them, although we’ve never been asked to play Glastonbury or the Isle of Wight.”
It was important for Tears For Fears to include four new songs on Songs For A Nervous Planet to reflect their ongoing creativeness and the fact they are in a good place.
Smith adds: “The Tipping Point was darkness and a lot of pain, but also about coming back into the light.
“We felt these songs had an entity of their own and so we see it as an EP.”
Orzabal added: “I’ve moved on from The Tipping Point, which was about the death of my first wife, Caroline, who died in 2017.
“Now I’ve been remarried for four years, we are happy personally, and we’re certainly happy professionally.” Orzabal had been trying to write a song for his second wife, Emily, and found an old song while clearing out a computer.
He says: “I took the backing track, which sounded a bit like Woman In Chains, to Hawaii on holiday.
“When you are trying to come up with stuff, you’re not on your own.
“I believe you’re picking stuff out of the ether, or out of the Akashic Field, and I needed a special song title.
“I woke up in the morning and had The Girl That I Call Home as a title.
“So, thank you, whoever you are.”
Emily Said is another song inspired by Orzabal’s wife, while Astronaut is “about not feeling that you belong on this earth”.
“It’s also about what you want to be when you’re a kid. For me, I used to say, “maths teacher”.
‘SENSE OF ESCAPISM’
Curt wanted to be a pilot and a lot of people say, ‘I want to be an astronaut’ — that is exactly what the song is all about.”
“There’s also a sense of escapism,” says Smith.
“Everything is extremely divisive today so the desire to escape is very current.
“And it’s a bit of a weird track, where we can just — forgive the pun — float off to space like an Astronaut.
“And it fits in so well with the other three songs.”
Say Goodbye To Mum And Dad might not have the cheeriest of song titles, but says Orzabal, it’s a “Tears For Fears double-edged sword”.
He continues, “It’s not a happy subject, but with the whistling and music, you get lost in it.
“It’s a morose lyric with a happy backing track and comes from the first lockdown in Britain.
“I was watching TV, seeing all these images of people who couldn’t see or touch their relatives — or were going to hospitals and care homes and seeing their ageing parents through glass and not even being able to go to their funeral.”
“It’s a trademark of ours,” adds Smith.
“If you look at Mad World or Everybody Wants To Rule The World they are lyrically quite dark but have happy backing tracks.
“So, I think it’s the way we choose to balance.”
The album title was inspired by Matt Haig’s book Notes On A Nervous Planet, about how modern life feeds our anxiety, and helps you live a better life.
Orzabal — who suffered a seizure and ended up in hospital and rehab as he struggled with side-effects from taking painkillers — says: “I read this book in 2018, when I was kind of going through it.
“The book says how social media is making the planet so nervous — and explains how it works with algorithms.
We would try talking to George Michael. But it just didn’t happen
Roland Orzabal
“Just read books and protect yourself from the way that information is given to you.
“The way information is received has made everything become very black or white and divisive.”
Smith and Orzabal agree that being in Tears For Fears today is more enjoyable than it was at the height of their fame in the 80s.
“We are enjoying it more today — no question. And there’s a multitude of reasons for that,” says Smith.
“Getting older and calmer, to a certain degree.
“And a lot of it is down to having family — something that’s far more important than music.
“When we were recording in our twenties, it was the be all and end all,” says Smith, who left the band in 1991 and moved to New York with the pair not talking for ten years.
“Nine,” interrupts Orzabal. “Well nine and a bit. We are still trying to make up for it!”
Looking back to their heyday, the pair both say they didn’t really fit in with the other bands of their time.
‘OUT OF PLACE’
Smith says: “We didn’t have perspective in our 20s. I just don’t think we became ourselves until we were a lot older.
“We are individual, and we’re extremely happy that no one does anything like us.
“We’d be on Top Of The Pops, and there would be Culture Club and we’d be bothered that they were higher than we were.
“I went to dinner with John Taylor and Simon Le Bon from Duran Duran — and Simon goes, ‘No one knew what to make of you back then.’
“And it’s very true.
“We didn’t fit in with anything, or any of the ‘scenes’ as we were just these weird couple of people from Bath.
“I was never the biggest Duran Duran fan. But they couldn’t be nicer people now I know them.
“But back then there were no real allies — we felt completely out of place.
“Slade were on at Christmas one time, which was fantastic.
“Slade was the first record I ever bought, but apart from that we felt out of place like we didn’t belong there.”
Orzabal says: “I remember early on being in make-up with Martin Gore from Depeche Mode.
“I’ve got a lot of make-up on, and he’s got a lot of make-up on, and you would think that we’d have something to talk about.
“No. We didn’t speak.
“We would try talking to George Michael. But it just didn’t happen.
“Everyone was too competitive.
“We were called the thinking schoolgirls’ Wham!
“But they would look at us as if to say, ‘You guys are nothing like us.
“So, f***k off. It was like school.”
Next, Tears For Fears will be performing for three nights at BleauLive Theater in Las Vegas, at the end of this month.
Would they ever play album shows — where they play an album from start to finish?
“Well, maybe. It’s not something we’ve really thought about,” says Smith.
“And with certain songs we’re like, ‘Oh, fk, I don’t really want to play that one.’”
What about another new album?
Orzabal says: “If we make an analogy, The Tipping Point and The Hurting.
“Then, Songs From The Big Chair, Songs For A Nervous Planet.
‘WE’RE PICKY F**KS’
“What’s next? Seeds Of Love. Oh, damn, that’s going to take a while.”
Smith adds: “There could be more shows coming and as far as new recordings, I think we’ll release stuff when we think it’s good.
“That approach has served us well in the past.
“When we feel something is worth putting out, that we’re proud enough of, then we’ll release it.
“But we don’t know when that will happen — we don’t know until we do it.
“We’re always going to have a struggle creatively as we’re picky f**ks.”
Orzabal laughs: “We are fussy bastards. But when we do come to an agreement, everyone will know it’s good.”
- Album Songs For A Nervous Planet is out Oct 25 and Tears For Fears Live (A Tipping Point Film) is in cinemas worldwide on Oct 24 and 26.
TEARS FOR FEARS – Songs For A Nervous Planet
★★★★☆
Inside Liam Payne and girlfriend Kate Cassidy’s £7.3k-a-month rental mansion
LIAM Payne gave fans a glimpse inside the multi-million-dollar mansion he had been living in before his death.
The ex-One Direction star passed away aged 31 after tragically falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday afternoon.
His girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, flew back to their rental home in South Florida just days before the tragic event, saying she was ready to leave after two weeks away.
Rewind only a few months and the couple opened the property’s doors in a series of satirical Snapchat posts.
Liam appeared happy and relaxed in the video, showcasing the $9,500-a-month Spanish-style mansion.
The $1.73 million rented home is located in an exclusive gated community in Wellington, Florida, known as ‘Horse Town USA’ for its residents’ love of equestrian sports.
It’s just 25 miles away from the affluent town of Jupiter, whose residents include Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, among other A-listers.
In one video, Liam imitated the U.S. show Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous for comedic effect.
Wearing sunglasses in front of the its bright white exterior, he waved his arm and joked, “Who lives in a house like this? Let’s go and find out.”
Inside, he introduced the home by saying, “Welcome to LJP Cribs,” and continued with playful remarks, “Built during the first revolution, original stone… since then they knocked a few walls through and the ceiling was vaulted twice.”
Wearing a gold chain and an oversized safety pin around his neck over a grey vest, he walked past two wicker baskets, quipping, “This is where I kept my pet snakes, Sid and Alan.”
As he walked through the sparsely furnished home, Liam humorously claimed that one archway “did contain one of the most important paintings in the world inside it, but it was stolen.”
He pointed out some closets, laughing, “This is where we hide people,” and later, while showing another closet full of Kate’s shoes, added, “This is where we hide a few more people.”
Liam also gave a playful tour of the dining room, questioning, “Do you ever actually eat at your dining table?”
As he moved through the home, he stopped at the drawing room and asked, “Why is a drawing room called a drawing room?”
Moving upstairs, he strolled down the hallway, narrating, “I’m a busy man, I’m a very, very busy man so I need space to think.”
Liam, moving to the upstairs hallway, declared, “I will now go down the dizzy staircase and continue on with my day. Thanks for watching LJP Cribs.”
The property features five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a saltwater pool, and a courtyard with waterfalls.
It is part of a gated community that offers resort-style amenities, including a gym, spa, and tennis courts.
The home is surrounded by towering palm trees, with a balcony above the entrance and a turret rising three stories high.
Since September, Kate had shared several videos of their Florida home on TikTok, where she also gave a tour of the property.
In one video, she said, “I’m always doing little hotel tours – and we just moved so I figured I’d do a mini house tour,” while showing off various rooms, including the pool area, dining room, and walk-in closets.
She pointed out different areas of the house, including the mustard-colored sofa in the living room, dark wood tables, and candles. She joked about her love for barbecuing, saying, “Honestly, this is kinda fun… welcome to the house.”
As she showed viewers a second living room, she described it as having “a more nighttime vibe,” and added, “If you want sun and your cup of coffee in the morning, living room number one is your place to be.”
The couple often shared snaps and videos from the property, located in Wellington, a well-heeled Florida enclave known for its equestrian sports.
Before his move to Florida, Liam had previously owned a $10.2 million mansion in Calabasas, California, which he sold in 2021.
Liam’s lighthearted tone in the video stood in stark contrast to the tragic events that followed.
Liam’s autopsy revealed he suffered severe injuries that led to “internal and external haemorrhaging”.
His family issued a statement today, which read: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Meanwhile, this afternoon harrowing pictures emerged that show inside Liam’s hotel room shortly after his fatal fall.
Argentine media have published troubling images showing white powder, burnt aluminium foil and a smashed TV screen.
Several images show what is reported to be the inside of the former One Direction singer’s luxury suite at the upmarket Hotel CasaSur Palermo, according to Argentina‘s biggest newspaper Clarin.
Buenos Aires police confirmed the room was in a state of “total disorder”.
They released a statement saying: “Upon entering, total disorder was observed, with various elements broken.
“The balcony area was inspected in order to establish access to it.”
Clarin, Argentina’s biggest newspaper, published the images alongside a report saying: “Damage and drugs in the hotel room Liam Payne was staying in in Buenos Aires.”
The singer had been open about his battles with addiction in the past.
But cops are yet to confirm what the substances found in the room are and are due to run tests on them shortly.
It comes as:
- Liam’s cause of death released by medics
- Troubling pics from Liam’s hotel room show white powder
- Niall Horan seen for first time since his death
- Zayn Malik ‘in absolute bits’ after hearing news
- Simon Cowell steps down from BGT
- A heartbreaking 911 call from worried hotel staff revealed
- Liam’s girlfriend reveals why she left Argentina
A final 911 call from hotel staff on Wednesday revealed they needed “urgent assistance” from cops to help with a guest “behaving erratically”.
Argentinian police said staff reported an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.
Witnesses at the hotel reported Liam had to be carried back to his room, according to TMZ.
Recordings from the 911 calls made by the head of reception show them reporting “a guest who is destroying everything in his room”.
In a second appeal for help the receptionist said: “We need you to send someone urgently because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger.
“They must be in a room that has a balcony. And well, we’re a little bit worried he’ll do something, that he’ll put his life at risk.”
Liam was found dead in the hotel’s inner courtyard at around 5pm local time (9pm UK time).
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED friends, family and fans have paid heartbreaking tributes to Liam as news of the singer's death circulated across the world.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning today.
He said: “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.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show today and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “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 all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
His death was confirmed as soon as ambulance crews arrived.
A red tent was put up over Liam’s body as cops began to investigate the death.
Forensic police worked with ambulance staff at the scene before they moved his body to a morgue.
A post-mortem is expected to be completed soon.
The singer was in Buenos Aires for a holiday after going to see pal Niall Horan’s tour.
He had arrived on September 30 with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
Weeping fans crowded outside the hotel holding a candlelit vigil overnight in honour of the beloved singer.
Liam leaves behind his seven-year-old son Bear whom he shared with Cheryl after the pair met when Liam was on The X Factor.
Miranda Hart opens up on embarrassing first date with new hubby — before they bonded over pizza
MIRANDA Hart says she farted within ten minutes on her first date with her new hubby — before they bonded over sloppy pizza.
The comedian, 51, who wed Richard Fairs earlier this year, told a podcast: “We were chatting, all very fun from the off.
“Then the pizza comes but it had shunted up to one end, mozzarella was leaking everywhere.”
Miranda said she “went on and on getting full-on teenage grumpy”, but was delighted that “shy and sweet” Richard was too.
She added: “We formed this delicious connection.
“It kickstarted the freedom for us to start meeting and connecting.”
When Richard texted about another date, she said: “I was like he does like me because I was who I was, and probably farted within ten minutes.”
She has been off screens recently as she battles chronic fatigue.
Earlier this month, the BBC favourite revealed she had secretly got married following a debilitating health battle.
The Miranda star, 51, then shared a first look of her husband after she was spotted enjoying a bike ride with a mystery man months before confirming her nuptials.
Now she had shed light on their relationship history – and everything wasn’t completely smooth.
In her new book, she told that she “briefly” split with the building surveyor before he popped the question in Kew Gardens.
In her tome, I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You, Miranda wrote: “I admitted that I was longing for love within a romantic relationship too, for that one person who truly got me, but my hope for that was very, very slim.”