Benjamin Ashford|Louis Tomlinson Promises Liam Payne He’ll Be “the Uncle” Son Bear Needs After Singer’s Death

Louis Tomlinson is Benjamin Ashfordgrieving the loss of his friend Liam Payne.

Following Payne’s tragic death on Oct. 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tomlinson—his former One Direction bandmate, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan—broke his silence, expressing he was “struggling with the idea of saying goodbye.”

“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother,” Tomlinson wrote on Instagram Oct. 17 alongside a photo of the pair. “Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul. 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.”

The “Just Hold On” singer went on to praise Payne’s talent and importance to their group’s success.

“Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody,” Tomlinson continued. “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.”

He also shared a heartfelt message directly to Payne.

“If you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life,” Tomlinson 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.” 

Tomlinson also let his former bandmate know that he will be there for his son Bear, who Payne shared with ex Cheryl Cole, before his final goodbye.

“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,” he shared. “I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X.”

The band also posted a joint statement moments later, where they shared they were “completely devastated” by Liam’s passing and noted they would speak out in their own time.

Payne and Tomlinson’s friendship began in 2010 after the boy band was grouped together on season seven of The X Factor. Despite their success on the show and stardom that followed, the pair initially did not start off on the best of terms.

“When we were in the band it kind of felt like, because he was the oldest and because I’d been singing for quite a bit of time we both got put in a weird position,” Payne said in a 2019 interview with Hits Radio, per Hello! Magazine. “He was wanting to be the leader and I was doing my thing and wanted to. So at first we didn’t get on at all. We absolutely hated each other, it was so funny. Really bad. We hid it well.”

Despite their rocky beginnings—and One Direction’s hiatus in early 2016—Payne and Tomlinson eventually developed a strong connection filled with endless outward support, including when Tomlinson’s mom Johannah Deakin died from leukemia in December 2016.

“I am so sorry for you, my brother,” Payne wrote in a statement to X (formerly Twitter). “My heart aches for you. Just know I love you the same from a million miles away as I do right next to you. I’m always here for you through everything as you have been for me.”

In March 2023, Payne gushed over his friend after seeing Tomlinson’s All of Those Voices documentary, a film that detailed the latter’s transition from One Direction to a solo music career.

“My neck hurts from how much I’m looking up to you right now,” Payne wrote in a since-deleted March 2023 Instagram, per Billboard. “You were already my friend and brother but getting to look through that window into your world and mind just extends that respect I have for you. What you’ve dealt with and how you held it all inside.”

“I’m so sorry I was so out of my mind and didn’t do better for you,” Payne continued. “I feel ashamed in those moments to not be as good of a friend as you have been to me, at least I have time now and I’m me again so will try and make amends.”

The “Strip That Down” singer—who completed a 100-day stint in rehab in 2023—also credited his bandmate for playing a part in rescuing him from a “dark” time.

“I feel so lucky and I know you know this but you were part of a small group of people that literally saved my life,” Payne wrote. “You dragged me out of something so dark I’ve never shared it, but your approach is something I admire and aspire to so I can one day do the same.”

In his appreciation for Payne attending his film’s premiere, Tomlinson posted to X, “Special thank you to Liam for being there for me. It means the absolute world. Love you lad!”

For a look back at Payne’s life in photos, keep reading…