Liam Payne’s dad attended a fan memorial for his son in Argentina (Picture: SWNS/Getty/AP)
The father of former One Direction star Liam Payne has travelled to Buenos Aires following the singer’s death, mourning the loss of his only son at a memorial surrounded by fans.
Geoff Payne was pictured in a navy suit exiting the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentina capital, where the 31-year-old British star fell from a third-floor balcony on Wednesday.
The Associated Press reports that Mr Payne has flown to the country to organise his son’s repatriation (returning his body to his home country).
In a video shared on the BBC, Mr Payne was seen visiting tributes laid out by fans outside the hotel, reading letters and pausing around flowers, photographs, and candles.
He is accompanied by two former security guards of the What Makes You Beautiful Band, including Paul Higgins, who worked with the stars throughout their heydays.
Tear-jerking footage shared online shows Mr Payne gazing around the crowd of 1D fans and looking them in the eyes, telling them ‘thank you’ for being there.
Geoff Payne was showered with love by the crowd of 1D fans outside the hotel in Argentina (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
He landed in South America to organise repatriation of his son’s body (Picture: Reuters)
At one point, Mr Payne also grabbed an ‘I love One Direction’ wristband and placed it over a photo of his son, as fans laid bouquets and memorabilia on the ground.
As well as the Strip That Down hitmaker, Mr Payne has daughters Ruth and Nicola with the popstar’s mum, Karen.
His arrival in Argentina comes after the Wolverhampton-born musician’s family issued a statement to say they were ‘heartbroken’ following his death.
They added: ‘Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.’
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl has since voiced concerns over protecting the seven-year-old son she shares with Payne, following their high-profile relationship between 2016 and 2018.
‘As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,’ she wrote in a post on Instagram.
Mr Payne looked solemnly at tributes left (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
The tearful dad-of-three thanked fans for their support (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)
The entrance to the hotel where Payne died was covered in messages and flowers (Picture: Reuters)
Sharing a previously unseen black-and-white picture of Payne in bed with his young son Bear, she continued: ‘Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son.
‘A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.’
The 41-year-old concluded the statement by urging people to give Payne ‘the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last’.
Her statement came after
Source:: Metro
