Liam Payne’s devastated sister Nicola has paid tribute to the former One Direction singer, describing him as an “angel” who “lived for making people smile and happy”.
The Strip That Down hit-maker’s sibling said she “went cold” after finding out that he had died aged 31 in a hotel balcony fall in Argentina on October 16 when a news alert flashed up on her phone.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, she shared a slew of treasured family photos, which she explained was rare after he shot to fame in the chart-topping boyband as they never wanted to make him feel like he was “in a room full of fans”, adding that they were his “biggest fans always and forever”.
The 36-year-old’s tribute read: "When I saw the news pop up on my phone that you had left us I went cold, I wanted so much for this to be untrue.
"I have spent days hoping that it was a mistake and somebody has got it wrong.
"You were truly too good for this earth, you are an angel who just lived for making people smile and happy.
"When I saw the news pop up on my phone that you had left us I went cold, I wanted so much for this to be untrue.
"I have spent days hoping that it was a mistake and somebody has got it wrong.
"You were truly too good for this earth, you are an angel who just lived for making people smile and happy.
"You have always shown kindness to everyone you met and it shows with just how many people have confirmed what we always knew."
She added: "I hope you have finally found peace up there and that you'll continue to look after us all as you have done in life. We will make sure Bear knows about his daddy and how much you loved him, we promise this."
On Saturday, Payne's other sister Ruth Gibbins paid tribute to her brother saying he was her "best friend".
Saying: “I prayed this day would never come'.
Their father Geoff is currently in the Argentinian capital to arrange the repatriation of the singer’s body to the UK.
Argentinian officials confirmed that Geoff visited the city’s morgue to identify his son's body and later met with the local prosecutor's office to coordinate its return to the UK. Local media reported that he was also expected to collect some of Payne's belongings during the visit.
Hundreds of flowers and tributes have been placed by mourning fans outside the Casa Sur Hotel where Payne lost his life.
Geoff was seen reading some of the messages and kissing photos left by well-wishers as a crowd of grieving supporters gathered around him.
