Liam Payne was 'dropped by record label just days before hotel death'

The singer, from Wolverhampton, was in Argentina when he died

Liam Payne reportedly suffered a huge setback to his music career just days before his tragic death. The One Direction star, from Wolverhampton, is said to have been dropped by Universal Music.

Sources claim he was axed by his record label in the days before he died in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The 31-year-old was in the capital when he fell from his room at the Casa Sur Palermo hotel.

Preliminary autopsy results indicated he suffered 'multiple traumas' due to the fall. Payne was originally signed to Sony as part of One Direction after they launched to fame on ITV's The X Factor.

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In July 2016, he signed a deal with Universal as he launched his solo career. According to MailOnline, multiple sources have said the dad-of-oner was recently axed by the record label.

One said: "Liam's advance was massive and he didn't recoup [it]. Out of all of the One Direction boys, Liam was on the wrong path musically."

Universal Music Group posted an image of Payne on Instagram saying it was 'devastated' over his death. The tribute read: "We are devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne.

"His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him. We send our deepest condolences to Liam's family and loved ones."

Capitol Records - which is a subsidiary of Universal - went on to repost the same statement. It is understood that the release of Payne's second album was put on hold before he was reportedly dropped by Universal.

It has also been claimed that the singer's PR resigned earlier this month. One source said: "It is like all of Liam's music career that he had built up since he went solo eight years ago was crumbling, there was very little left for him.

"It must have absolutely devastated him." Universal Music Group is said to no longer list Payne as one of their artists.

MailOnline said it contacted Universal for comment.