How Liam Payne healed his One Direction rifts from fight with Zayn to secret issues with Niall before tragic death

IN the wake of Liam Payne’s untimely death on Wednesday, much has been said of his ‘rocky relationship’ with his One Direction bandmates and how he had tried to heal rifts before his passing.

The troubled Story of My Life singer plunged 45ft to his death from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday leaving the world shocked and stunned.

Liam and his fellow One Direction co-stars became one of the biggest boy bands in history.

The English-Irish pop group, comprising Liam, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and, Zayn Malik (until 2015) formed in London in 2010 following their stint on the seventh series of X Factor.

While the group came third the band was soon signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco label and enjoyed a stratospheric rise to fame.

Known as 1D, their first four albums debuted at No. 1 as the teen idols undertook four world tours, won more than 200 awards, sold more than 70 million records globally and amassed over three billion YouTube views until they split in 2016.

While Liam had been previously quoted as saying the boys in the group were “there when I needed them most”, he had also famously fallen out with Zayn.

The singer had alluded to his rift with him on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast in 2022.

During the podcast, Liam said there were “many reasons” he disliked Zayn, but also: “Many reasons why I’ll always be on his side.”

Liam discussed his own upbringing, calling his parents “overly supportive” to the point it was “annoying at times” but compared it to Zayn, who he claimed had a “different upbringing in that sense”.

The late singer said: “You can always look at the man for where he is and say ‘oh yeah whatever that guy’s a d****’, but at the end of the day you have to understand what he’s been through to get to that point”.

He revealed on the podcast how he also felt misunderstood and said: “I’m so misunderstood, by myself more than anyone.”

The late star tragically added: “I don’t know what I’m doing or why I’m here. I can’t sit here and pick on him (Zayn) for whatever.”

He continued: “I don’t agree with any of his actions. I can’t commend some of the things that he’s done. I can’t be on his side for that.”

“Your only hope is that at some point in their life, the person on the other end of the phone wants to receive the help you’re willing to give them.”

Liam, who had appeared troubled in recent months, had flown to Argentina to support his former One Direction bandmate Niall.

He had taken his American girlfriend Kate Cassidy to The Show: Live on Tour gig at the Movistar Arena in Buenos Aires, before publicly declaring that he was thrilled to finally reunite with Niall.

Prior to the show he had taken to his social media to say: “Going to Argentina to see Nialler”.

He continued: “Niall Horan is playing down there and I think we might just go to say hello.”

“It’s been a while since me and Niall have spoken.”

“We’ve got a lot to talk about.

“And I would like to square up a couple of things up with the boy,” before adding there were no hard feelings: “No bad vibes or anything like that. But just … we need to talk.”

He then shared pictures on social media of the pair enjoying time together that evening, simply saying: “Reunited” in one snap and: “So happy I got to see Niall in concert,” in another.

While it was to tragically be his last public outing, an insider had recently revealed that Liam ‘was so proud’ of Niall and added “there was nothing but love between them”.

The source said: “When Liam attended Niall’s show earlier this month, he really wanted to just tell him he was proud of him, and it was genuine.”

The source also admitted that Niall ‘was so grateful’ that Liam had flown over to see him.

Another source was quoted as saying: “Their bond was unbreakable at the end, and their friendship ended on a good note, so to speak.”

In a tribute to his former bandmate, Zayn has said the pair had “butted heads”, but thanked Liam for “helping him through his darkest times”.

Zayn, also 31, told how he’d “lost a brother” and had always “respected” Liam.

In his poignant tribute he said: “I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.”

“When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.”

“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me…you were headstrong, opinionated and gave no f**ks about telling people they were wrong.”

“Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.”

Liam also posted his tribute to the star, saying: “I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to every day, 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.”

“Liam was an incredible songwriter with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.”

“And 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 went on to post a direct tribute to Liam, saying: “A message to you Liam if you’re listening: I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye.” 

“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.” 

“I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.”

“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.”

“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.”

Former bandmate Niall also posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram saying: “I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real.”

“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious He was the brightest in ever room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.”

“All the laughs we have over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.”

“We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”

“I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking.”

“My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.”

“Thank you for everything, Payno. Love you brother. Nialler.”

Harry also penned a tribute to the star, alongside a picture of the pair on stage, saying: ‘I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing.”

“His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.”

“Liam lived life open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.”

“He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.”

“My heart breaks for Karen Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear and all those around the world who knew and loved him as I did.”