“Heartbreaking five-word”: Liam Payne remembered tribute at London Jingle Bell Ball concert

Liam Payne was honored at Jingle Bell, which he played for five years ago

Liam, who shared son Bear with ex Cheryl, has been remembered at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball, with the late singer’s former One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik also paying tribute

Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball kicked off with a heartfelt homage to the beloved Liam Payne. The star, who graced the stage as a solo act at the 2019 event, was honored nearly two months after his untimely passing at just 31 years old.

Liam, father to Bear Payne with former partner Cheryl Tweedy, tragically lost his life on October 16 following a fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina. Hosted at London’s iconic O2 tonight and tomorrow, the Jingle Bell Ball will feature performances from big names like Coldplay and Katy Perry.

However, before any celebrity could perform, the venue paid its respects to Liam. “Tonight we’re celebrating Liam Payne,” read the poignant message displayed on the screen amidst a hushed crowd.

An attendee shared with the Mirror, “It was the perfect way to open the show. The whole of The O2 went dark and quiet and then the tribute to Liam was shown on the screen. Thousands erupted into cheers and it was so touching.”

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This emotional moment comes shortly after Zayn Malik dedicated a performance to Liam in Wolverhampton, expressing his hope that Liam witnessed the concert. Zayn, also 31, began his Stairway To The Sky tour at Leeds’s O2 Academy on November 30, featuring a blue screen tribute stating: “Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro” accompanied by a pink heart, reports the Mirror.

In a touching tribute during his performance at The Halls, University of Wolverhampton, Zayn Malik dedicated part of his show to the late Liam Payne, saying on social media videos: “I’ve been doing something, at the end of the show, every night, and it’s been dedicated to my brother Liam Payne. Rest in peace. I hope you’re seeing this, we’re in your hometown tonight, Wolverhampton, this is for you, Liam.”

He postponed the original opening dates of his tour in Edinburgh to attend Liam’s funeral, which saw the presence of his former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan. Zayn, who departed from One Direction in 2015 before the group’s hiatus in 2016, expressed his grief over Liam’s passing, stating he “never got to thank” Liam for his support during tough times.

In an emotional Instagram post, Zayn shared: “I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly”, and “I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you, bro.”

Argentinian authorities have initiated a probe into the tragic demise of Liam, with three individuals facing charges related to the incident. The young man succumbed to his injuries on October 16, suffering from multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage” following a fall from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, as detailed by the findings of the post-mortem examination.