Louis Walsh's heartbreaking response to Liam Payne's death as Irish stars pay tribute

Music mogul has described the tragic death of Liam Payne at the age of 31 as "awful"

A heartbroken Louis Walsh has spoken out about the tragic death of Liam Payne, describing the loss as "awful". The music industry veteran first encountered Payne during his 2008 audition for The X Factor.

Although Payne didn't progress to the judges' houses that year, he made a triumphant return in 2010, ultimately becoming a member of the global sensation One Direction. Walsh saw potential in Payne from the start, remarking back then: "This kid could do fantastic in the show."

However, following the shocking news of the 31 year old's fatal fall from a third-floor balcony at his hotel in Argentina on Thursday, Walsh was too devastated to say much, telling the Irish Mirror simply: "No, (I'm) saying nothing. It's awful".

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While Niall Horan and other One Direction members Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik have not yet made public statements regarding Liam's passing, Niall's brother Greg expressed his sorrow online. In a poignant post, Greg thanked Liam for being like a brother to Niall during their time together in the band, writing: "To say I'm heartbroken is an understatement, a weird feeling this morning and all night. 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.

He continued: "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 brothers."

Meanwhile, singer Mary Byrne - who was on the X Factor with One Direction in 2010 – said she "burst into tears" when she heard about his death.

Speaking to Claire Byrne on her RTÉ Radio 1 show, she said that despite not seeing Liam in a long time that she "still felt that emotion" that she connected with when she and One Direction shared a house during the production of The X Factor. The singer recalled being with them for "almost a year" through bootcamp, judges' houses, living together and then touring.", reports the Irish Mirror.

"I got to know the young lads and they were great, Liam in particular," she said. "I always felt like I was the mammy of the house, and they used to come to me and they kissed me every single morning."

She shared a touching memory of when Liam informed his father about moving forward on the X Factor. "I remember his father saying on the phone 'Oh my God that's brilliant, just hold your head together, keep yourself strong'," she recounted. She expressed her surprise at his death, noting that Liam had always seemed like the level-headed one.

"Liam always gave me the impression that he was the one that had his head on his shoulders," she observed, highlighting how he inspired and motivated the others.

She remembered him as mature beyond his years with "an old head on his shoulders" and a positive approach to life.

A moving Late Late Show clip featuring the band surfaced has gone viral, where Niall Horan dubbed Liam the "sensible one" among them. Ryan Tubridy, the show’s host in 2011, referred to Liam as "captain sensible".

Fellow X Factor contestants Jedward sent their love to Cheryl, Liam's son Bear and "all the One Direction family". Dermot O'Leary, the host of X Factor, remembered Liam auditioning for The X Factor as a 14 year old boy. "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 wrote. "He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. " The X Factor host expressed that Payne will "leave a lasting legacy on the music industry". "We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne," The X Factor's official account on X, formerly Twitter, wrote alongside a photo of the star. "He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.

Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him. "

 
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Eoghan Quigg, who appeared on the X Factor two years before One Direction, said he was "in absolute shock" as he paid tribute to Liam. Taking to Instagram, the Derry native said: "Just hearing the news. RIP Liam, I am in absolute shock..."

Laura Whitmore took to Instagram on Thursday and shared: "The one direction lads first came into MTV when they stole the hearts of the nation on X Factor," she wrote alongside a photo of herself with Liam. "All talented in their own right, all optimistic and excited about what was ahead. Bumped into Liam over the years many times on different shows and out and about and he was always so lovely and giving of his time.

"This particular Brits always sticks with me, he was there with Louis and he was beaming as I could see he was very loved up with someone backstage. Was genuinely so nice to see that excitement.

"To say I'm heartbroken is an understatement, a weird feeling this morning and all night. 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.He continued: "Sometimes we forget people in the public eye are real people with real feelings. He was a pop star but more importantly someone's son, father – loved by so many who are left heartbroken.

"My thoughts with his loved ones. I can't believe it, but also I can. Which is devastating. ".

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