Cheryl supported by former X Factor winner with touching gesture after Liam Payne death: ‘Heartbreaking’
Cheryl has received floods of supportive messages from fans following the death of her ex, Liam Payne, 31.
The 41-year-old embarked on a two-year relationship with Payne years after they met on ITV’s X Factor and share seven-year-old son, Bear.
Payne died on Wednesday evening after falling from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Police first arrived at the hotel in response to reports “of an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol” only to find Payne had died at the scene following the fall.
His cause of death has been cited by officials as “a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to immediate death”, while the transcript from the emergency call made by hotel staff shows how concerns for his wellbeing were raised before the fatal incident.
Tributes from across the globe have flooded in for Payne but Cheryl too has received heartfelt gestures from well-known figures – including a former X Factor winner.
Shayne Ward, who’s currently competing in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, took to Instagram to pay his respects to Payne and offer Cheryl his condolences.
“It’s such heartbreaking news to wake up to,” Ward began alongside a heartbroken emoji.
“I met liam several times throughout the years, and he was always such a lovely lad.
“It’s a very sad day! Sending all my love and condolences to his son and family and @cherylofficial x #ripliampayne,” he concluded as he showed his support for the Girls Aloud star.
LISTEN HERE: Translated transcript of 911 emergency call made from Liam Payne’s hotel before his death
Singer and Celebs Go Dating star Tallia Storm was another famous face to send their support to Cheryl following Payne’s death.
In a post shared to X, the Scottish singer shared two snaps alongside Payne with the words: “One of the loveliest people I met at the start of my journey.
“Life is incredibly precious. Sending love and deepest condolences to Liam’s family and loved ones, especially Cheryl and his son Bear.
“I can not even believe this tragic news. Devastating. RIP.” (sic)
ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly also publicly shared her sympathies and concern for Cheryl during Thursday’s episode of her self-titled talk show.
“I was genuinely shocked when I saw this, it’s absolutely tragic,” Kelly began when discussing the news of Payne’s death.
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“I can’t stop thinking about his wee boy Bear. His mum Cheryl is going to have to tell him she is going to have to break the news to him. And as you said he’s only seven years old.
“He was always talking about his son, he was a very devoted dad. He might not have been with him all the time but he was a very devoted dad we saw lots of photographs of him with his dad and he talked about him all the time too,” Kelly added.
Cheryl hasn’t publicly released a statement regarding Payne’s death but his “devastated” family did release a few words to the media on Thursday afternoon.
The Payne family said they are “heartbroken” by the 31-year-old’s death, adding in a statement that “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul”.
They continued: “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”