Wolverhampton-born singer Liam Payne has died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
Local police said the 31-year-old singer fell from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina’s capital, before medics confirmed his death.
According to police in Buenos Aires, officers were initially responding to reports “of an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol”.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, said on Argentinian television that Payne fell into a courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the trendy Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires.
Mr Crescenti declined to answer further questions about the incident.
Payne rose to worldwide fame as a member of the boyband, One Direction, who were formed and came third on the TV talent show, The X Factor, in 2010.
He launched a solo career after the band announced their hiatus in 2016, going on to make hits including ‘Strip That Down’, which reached number three in the UK singles charts.
He was reportedly in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of his former One Direction band mate, Niall Horan, where two weeks he was seen dancing alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
Earlier on Wednesday October 16, Payne had posted on the social media platform Snapchat about his trip in Argentina, talking about riding horses, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home to see his dog.
He said: “It's going to be a nice day.”
Payne shares a son, Bear, from his previous relationship with former X-Factor judge and Girls Aloud singer, Cheryl Cole.
Tributes have poured from other stars on social media, with former X-Factor host, Dermot O'Leary saying "He just loved to sing".
Former One Direction hairstylist Lou Teasdale also posted a message on the social media site, X following the death of the singer.
She wrote: “Sending you all so much love to you all” alongside an emoji of a broken heart.
Shocked fans gathered outside the hotel after police cordoned off the area, with forensic investigators in white protective suits and blue gloves seen entering and leaving.
Fans were seen lighting candles and leaving flowers at the side of the road in an impromptu vigil as they paid tribute to the music star.
The Foreign Office confirmed it is in contact with authorities in Argentina “regarding reports of the death of a British man”.
A spokesperson for the FCDO declined to comment any further, including on the identity of the man involved.
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