X Factor host Dermot O'Leary pays tribute to 'humble' Liam Payne

'X Factor' presenter Dermot O'Leary has remembered Liam Payne as someone who "had time for everyone" following his passing aged 31.

The 51-year-old TV presenter was hosting the ITV talent show when Liam - who passed away after he fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday (16.10.24) - first auditioned for the programme as a 14 year old in 2008.

Dermot remembers Liam wowing judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh with a version of Frank Sinatra's 'Fly Me to the Moon'.

He wrote on Instagram: "The worst news. 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."

Liam first auditioned for 'The X Factor' in 2008 aged 14, but he lost out at the Judges' Houses stage of the contest, and he was told by Simon to "come back in two years".

He did just that and went on to be put into boy band One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.

'This Morning' presenter Dermot admitted Liam was "polite, grateful" and "always humble" whenever he spoke to him.

Dermot added: "He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.

Sending love and prayers to his family. Dx (sic)"

Former 'X Factor' contestant-turned-TV presenter Rylan Clark has described Liam's death is "very tragic".

He wrote on X: "Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young. RIP Liam x (sic)"

Like Liam, Union J band member Josh Cuthbert also shot to fame on 'The X Factor', and he remembers Liam for being "a great guy".

He commented on Dermot's post: "Just so awful mate. Cant believe it [broken-hearted emoji] I met him when we were on xfactor in 2012. Always a great guy.

I’ve said this before and I’m Not pointing any fingers or speculating here but all I’ll say is social media can be sooo dangerous. Anyone and everyone can say anything they want with no consequence or a second thought of the damage and pain they may cause a person. Why we can’t all be kinder to one another is so frustrating. The pain I have for Liams family (sic)"

Former 'X Factor' star Olly Murs wrote on Instagram: "This news is devastating, am lost for words. we always had a good laugh when we saw each other, sometimes the catch ups were only short and sweet but when we did it was mostly about how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF days and the tour we shared together. 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 am thinking of them! RIP Liam (sic)"