Louis Walsh's heartbreaking two-word response to Liam Payne's death as Irish celebs pay tribute

The One Direction star died after falling from a third floor balcony in Argentina on Wednesday

Heartbroken Louis Walsh has broken his silence on the death of Liam Payne – describing the singer’s tragic passing as “awful”.

The former X Factor music mogul met Payne in 2008 when he first auditioned for the show. Although he didn’t make it through to judges' houses at the time, he returned in 2010 and became part of One Direction. Even in 2008, Walsh recognised his talents, saying at the time: “This kid could do fantastic in the show.”

But on Thursday, a devastated Walsh declined to comment on Liam’s passing, after the 31-year-old fell from a third floor balcony at his hotel in Argentina.

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Louis told the Irish Mirror: “No, (I’m) saying nothing. It’s awful”. And while band mate Niall Horan has yet to comment on Liam’s death along with One Direction members Louis Tomlinson, Harry Style and Zayn Malik, Niall’s brother Greg penned a heartbreaking tribute on his social media.

Greg thanked the One Direction star for stepping in as Niall's brother during their time in the band. He wrote: "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 1D brothers.

Recalling his first interaction with Liam and the moment their families came together, Greg added: "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 the all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x."

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.

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"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 recalled Liam telling his father that he was progressing to the next stage of 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 said.

She described the death as a "shock". "Liam always gave me the impression that he was the one that had his head on his shoulders," she said. "That he was the one that kind of guided the rest of the lads, got them up and motivated them to do the job." She described Liam as having "an old head on his shoulders", adding that "he had a great outlook".

Just hours after Liam’s death was confirmed, a Late Late Show clip of the band went viral in the wake of his death, where viewers watch as Niall Horan described Liam as the “sensible one” in the group.

Then host Ryan Tubridy described Liam in 2011 as “captain sensible” as Niall said Liam had a “Gary Barlow-aura” around him. Niall said: "He has that Barlow-aura about him, doesn’t he? When it comes down to it, he's like 'come on boys lets go'." Liam replied: "I'm okay with that."

Mary added that when acts in the music industry become that big in such a short time, "you need to have people around you who are going to hold you and keep you grounded and your mind straight". She said young people "come in and they're looking for fame, they're looking for this new life and they don't realise, and I didn't even realise, that it is a hard game".

"To think that this young man now at 31 years of age has gone down a road that's so dark and couldn't come back for some reason, it's heartbreaking," she added.

Fellow former X Factor contestants Jedward sent their love to Cheryl, his son Bear and "all the One Direction family". X Factor host Dermot O’Leary recalled Liam auditioning for The X Factor as a 14-year-old boy, as he paid tribute to the singer following his death.

"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 has said 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."

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…”

Taking to Instagram on Thursday, Laura Whitmore said: “The one direction lads first came into MTV when they stole the hearts of the nation on X Factor," she wrote alongside an image of herself and 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.

“Sometimes we forget people in the public eye are real people with real feelings. He was a Popstar 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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