'I'm a grief expert - heartbroken Liam Payne fans all need to do one thing today'

One Direction fans are reeling after the news that Liam Payne has died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires while in the city to see his former bandmate Niall Horan in concert

For One Direction fans, processing the heartbreaking and shocking death of ex-member Liam Payne will be extremely difficult.

The grief and pain of losing a public figure and idol is as valid as the pain and grief of a loved one.

For many fans, Liam Payne was a part of their childhood, forming a deep connection to both him and the band. The fact that many may not have personally met the One Direction star is irrelevant. The massive national outpouring of emotion when Princess Diana died in 1997 is testament to that.

Psychotherapist and Counselling Psychologist Dr. Natalie Cawley works with people coping with grief. She says Liam's sudden death at the young age of 31, makes his passing even more traumatic for fans.

Liam rose to fame as part of One Direction, who went on to become a global sensation after they finished third on The X Factor in 2010.

Police in Argentina said he died falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. He reportedly plummeted about 14 meters into a courtyard of the Casa Sur Palermo hotel around 5pm local time, sustaining fatal injuries. The cause of the fall that led to Liam's untimely death is still being investigated.

Dr Crawley says the negative speculation makes it even more imperative fans focus on the happier times in his life. "Although you may feel personally close to him, it is a para social relationship, we don't know what he was going through in his inner world, so you try not to speculate but keep him in your thoughts positively."

Dr Crawley advises that fans set aside time to day to share happy memories of him performing on The X Factors and concerts, fun videos that make them smile.

"Honour the memory of Liam, all the joy and connection he brought to people through his talent and put aside a time to acknowledge and share memories," she said.

"Give yourself this allotted time to make sure you do not dwell on the circumstances of his death and the reasoning but share these happy memories with loved ones. "

At age 31, Liam leaves behind his family and his seven-year-old son Bear, who was born to him and Cheryl in 2017 when he was just 23. He had co-parented Bear with, Cheryl since their split in 2018.

Britain's Got Talent has put a pause on its filming schedule due to the tragedy. ITV's hit show judges, including The X Factor boss Simon Cowell, who signed One Direction to his record label, were spotted at Blackpool Winter Gardens last week, celebrating the kick-off of the new series set to air next year. However, the auditions' filming has been halted in light of Liam's death.