Memories of Liam... Local reporter's encounter with 'lovely' One Direction star at London premiere
Fans of One Direction were left shocked by the news of Liam Payne’s death following a fall from a third story balcony in Buenos Aires last night.
The 31-year-old was in Argentina for Mullingar singer Niall Horan’s latest concert. The two shot to fame, along with bandmates, Harry Styles, Zayne Malik and Louis Tomlinson, in 2010 when their boyband, One Direction, nabbed third place in the X Factor final.
It was in 2013 that the band released their movie, This Is Us, which documented the lads’ meteoric rise to fame. Following the band’s split in 2016, each of the members embarked on solo careers.
Former Westmeath Examiner reporter, Olga Aughey, flew over to the premiere of This is Us in 2013, where she met the band members in London’s Leicester Square.
“Liam was lovely, a young gentleman, full of fun and excitement. It was such an exciting time for them, so it’s very sad to hear the news this morning,” Olga said.
“I’m sure fans all over the world will take it particularly hard, as will of course Niall Horan. The two had remained friends after the band’s split, and Liam had just been to see Niall’s latest concert.
“They had to deal with unimaginable fame from a very young age, the highs and the lows involved, and that bonded the pair. So I’m sure Niall will be tremendously saddened by this.
“My thoughts go out to all the band members and to Liam’s family. May he rest in peace.”
Police in Argentina confirmed that Liam fell from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires before medics confirmed his death.
The British singer had posted footage from Niall Horan’s concert on Tuesday night, where he was seen singing and dancing along with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.
In a number of posts to Snapchat, Liam said he was “so proud” of his former bandmate, saying “what a great night” following the show. He also posted two photos of himself with Niall after the show, captioning them “so happy I got to see Niall in concert”.
Niall Horan has not yet commented on the death of his friend and former bandmate.
The Westmeath Examiner produced a special supplement on Olga Aughey's visit to London for the premiere of their movie, This Is Us, in 2013.