Louis Tomlinson Pays Tribute to ‘Brother’ Liam Payne: ‘I’m Really Struggling’ With ‘Saying Goodbye’

Louis Tomlinson is honoring his One Direction brother Liam Payne in an emotional tribute. On Thursday, Tomlinson remembered the singer as the “most vital part” of One Direction, as he vowed to be there for Payne’s son, Bear, and reminisced on their close friendship.

“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” Tomlinson wrote. “I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly, as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.”

“Liam was an incredible songwriter with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band,” he added. “And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us, Liam.”

Tomlinson continued his tribute by directing some words to Payne, saying he was “beyond lucky” to have “Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother” in his life.

“I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,” Payne wrote. “I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life.”

“I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be,” he continued. “I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was. I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.”

The tribute from Tomlinson came just minutes after he and his 1D bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan, issued a joint statement, saying they are “completely devastated” by the news of Payne’s death.

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“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly,” the band wrote. “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you, Liam.”

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The new statements from 1D and Payne come several hours after the prosecutor’s office in Argentina shared a post-autopsy report revealing that the former One Direction member died of multiple traumas, internal and external bleeding, and a cranial injury as a result of his fall. He was 31.

Payne’s family issued a statement via the BBC earlier on Thursday saying they are “heartbroken” by his death. “We are heartbroken,” the Payne family said. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”