Inside Liam Payne’s 100-day rehab stint after star ‘lost sight of himself’ and ended up in ‘bad shape’
LIAM Payne secretly squirreled himself away in a US rehab facility last year after admitting he’d lost track of himself.
The pop star, 31, died yesterday after falling from a hotel balcony and pictures have since emerged of white powder and burnt tin foil in his messy room.
The One Direction star’s troubles with substance abuse have been well documented, but he emerged from the Louisiana facility last year sober with a positive new outlook.
He bravely took to YouTube to explain why he’d needed to seek treatment, emerging from a quiet spell out of the spotlight with longer hair.
“I needed to take some time out for myself,” he said. “I kind of became someone who I didn’t really recognise any more.
“I was so angry at what was going on around me that instead of taking a look inwards I decided to take it outwards on everybody else.
“It was wrong really, and my own frustrations with my own career. I want to apologise for that.”
Liam decided to act after his podcast appearance with American social media star Logan Paul went viral and received backlash from 1D fans.
In it, he infamously claimed to be the main member of the group and revealed he threw a bandmate, now known to be Zayn Malik, against a wall and threatened to disable his hands.
He said in his YouTube video: “The rest of the boys have really stuck by me and when I needed them most they kind of came to my rescue, even Zayn.
“It was hard for me to watch back. It is one of those life-changing moments that saved my life in a way.”
Liam said of his drinking: “The party is over.”
He also acknowledged his role as a father to Bear, eight, the son he shared with Cheryl Cole.
He said: “There is a point when you hit rock bottom and you realise you have got to do something different as whatever you are doing right now isn’t working for you.
“I was in bad shape up until that point.
“Honestly, more than anything I want to say thank you to Bear and his mum for giving me a little bit of freedom to go and get well.
“There is no point trying to be a dad when you have nothing to teach.
“I feel like I have a grip on life now. After I got back out, that process had worked for me, but there were still some little bits left that I kind of had to deal with myself.”
The 31-year-old singer was in Buenos Aires for his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s tour when he died after falling from the third floor.
Emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti said initial findings point towards him fracturing his skull.
Several images show what is reported to be the inside Liam’s luxury suite at the upmarket Hotel CasaSur Palermo, according to Argentina’s biggest newspaper Clarin.
They appear to show traces of a white powder and burnt aluminium foil in the bathroom and living area.
A green lighter and a container of Dove soap is also sat on what looks like a messy table in the trashed room.
Cops are yet to confirm what the substances found in the room are but are due to run tests on them shortly.
A smashed TV can also be seen in the room next to a half-drunk champagne glass.
A final 911 call from hotel staff on Wednesday revealed they needed “urgent assistance” from cops to help with a guest “behaving erratically”.
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED friends, family and fans have paid heartbreaking tributes to Liam as news of the singer's death circulated across the world.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning today.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show today and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
Argentinian police said staff reported an “aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol”.
Witnesses at the hotel reported Liam even had to be carried back to his room, according to TMZ.
Recordings from the 911 calls made by the head of reception show them reporting “a guest who is destroying everything in his room”.
In a second urgent appeal for help the receptionist said: “We need you to send someone urgently because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger.
“They must be in a room that has a balcony. And well, we’re a little bit worried he’ll do something, that he’ll put his life at risk.”