Robbie Williams is the latest of many artists and fans who have paid tribute to the late Liam Payne over the last 48 hours, following the news of his passing after he fell from a balcony in a Buenos Aires hotel.

Williams was the mentor to One Direction when the band competed on The X Factor in 2010, keeping a friendship with them in the following years.

In a statement posted today, the 50-year-old pop legend shared his feelings of “shock, sadness and confusion” following Payne’s death at just 31 years old. He also recalled meeting him and his bandmates, saying: “They were all cheeky and lovely. I enjoyed the lighthearted pisstakery and thought about all the times I was that cheeky pisstaker with the pop stars that had gone before me when I was in Take That.

“Our paths have crossed ever since that day and I’m fond of them all. Liam’s trials and tribulations were very similar to mine, so it made sense to reach out and offer what I could. So I did.”

Drug paraphernalia was discovered in Payne’s hotel room after his tragic death. The musician has previously opened up about his struggles with addiction.

 

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Williams continued: “I still had my demons at 31. I relapsed. I was in pain. I was in pain because I relapsed. I relapsed because of a multitude of painful reasons. I remember Heath Ledger passing and thinking ‘I’m next’. By the grace of God and/or dumb luck I’m still here.”

He also called for more empathy and compassion towards public figures, writing in capital letters: “We don’t know what’s going on in people’s lives. What pain they’re going through and what makes them behave in the way that they behave. Before we reach to judgment, a bit of slack needs to be given.

“Before you type anything on the internet, have a think: ‘Do I really need to publish this?’ Because that’s what you’re doing. You’re publishing your thoughts for anybody to read. Even if you don’t really think that celebrities or their families exist. They fucking do. Skin and bone and immensely sensitive.”

Payne’s former One Direction bandmates also shared their condolences and tributes, both individually and in a joint statement, with Niall Horan writing: "Liam had an energy for life and passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure."

In a post to the official One Direction Instagram page, the bandmates wrote: "We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. 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."