Kerry Katona has shared a loving tribute to Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer who died on Wednesday in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The 31-year-old singer-songwriter, who was a dad to seven-year-old son Bear, tragically lost his life after falling from a balcony in the Argentine capital.
Bear’s mum is former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, 41, who was Payne’s partner between 2016 and 2018 – the couple split just after Bear’s first birthday.
Former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry, 44, has confessed that the news of Payne’s death has deeply affected her, bringing back painful memories from her past.
Kerry was 39 when her ex-husband George Kay died in 2019 following a drug overdose – the pair had divorced two years earlier after marrying in 2014.
Having already experienced the death of an ex-partner, Kerry had valuable words of advice for Cheryl, reaching out to her via quotes reported in OK! Magazine.
‘I was absolutely heartbroken when I read the shocking news of Liam Payne’s death last Wednesday night. I am sending so much love to his family and friends – they must be going through the worst pain.’
She continued: ‘Listening to the news and the hotel staff’s calls to the police brought it all back. It was really similar to the calls they made about George – and that’s something that never leaves you.’
Kerry then sent a message to Cheryl: ‘[I know] how it feels to tell your child their father is dead. I’ll never forget the day I had to tell DJ – it’s one of the most horrible experiences you can ever go through.
‘You need to be strong for your children and that is so hard. I’ve met Cheryl a few times and she’s always been so lovely – it will be an awful time for her, for Liam’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, and for everyone who knew him.’
Kay died aged 39. Kerry, appearing on The Big Celebrity Detox, said of his death: ‘I’m angry my husband died. I’m angry he died and just left his daughter – really angry about that.’
Together, the pair shared their daughter Dylan-Jorge.
Cheryl made a statement on Payne’s death earlier this evening. She described the Payne’s passing as an ‘earth-shattering event’ in a post on Instagram.
‘Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again,’ part of the post read.
Payne’s One Direction bandmates have also shared their own tributes to the star.
Zayn Malik’s statement read: ‘Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me. I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.’
Louis Tomlinson posted an emotional statement on Instagram on Thursday night, lamenting that the pair never got another chance to work with each other.
‘I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.
‘Liam was an incredible song writer 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.’
He continued: ‘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.’
Harry Styles said that he will ‘always miss’ his ‘lovely friend’, and Niall Horan said he was ‘devastated’.