GB News has been widely condemned for its coverage of Liam Payne’s death, with fans branding one host’s comments ‘despicable’.
One Direction star Payne died on Wednesday at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
In the wake of the tragedy, fans have flooded social media with tributes and fond memories of the singer, while his loved ones and bandmates have expressed their heartache.
Payne’s untimely death has been widely reported as the details of his final moments remain unclear. However, one hotel guest said Payne was ‘passed out and convulsing’ in the lobby that afternoon.
The Strip That Down hitmaker spoke openly in his latter years about his struggles with addiction, alcoholism, and mental health, having reportedly checked into a rehabilitation centre just months ago.
Covering the aftermath of Payne’s fatal fall, GB News presenter Ben Leo conveyed his shock, but appalled viewers by calling the star ‘drugged up’.
‘What do you reckon of Liam Payne’s sad passing in the week?’, he asked co-presenter Nana Akua.
He continued: ‘I saw it in the week. I felt pretty sad for him. He’s a young guy with a seven-year-old child, but then I kind of thought, you know, what are you doing, getting drugged up?’
Co-star Akua then reminded him: ‘We don’t know for sure.’
As the clip began circulating on X, fans called the remarks ‘vile’ and urged the channel to ‘do better’.
FreddySky declared the comments ‘truly repugnant’ while _stphnjms asked: ‘How is this channel still on air?’
‘Addiction is a disease and everyone is just 1 crisis away from making a decision they can’t come back from. I’m disgusted by this’, wrote user LouiseScot51918.
‘Disgraceful’, wrote trixietrottsba1.
Tagging Ofcom, dm_2401 asked: ‘Making this kind of comment after the death of Liam Payne??? Surely this is not acceptable?’
‘Absolutely disgusting’, added Mrstracynewbury.
Leo’s horrifying commentary comes just after he wrote a tweet about how ‘sad’ Payne’s death is.
‘Shocking news about Liam Payne. No age to die, especially with a young child left behind. Cannot imagine the pain his family and friends are feeling,’ he said on Thursday
‘Another reminder how fragile life is. Here one day, gone the next. Sad.’
Fans have since revisited the social media post to accuse the presenter of ‘backpedaling’, with itsRyRyUK writing: ‘That’s not quite what you said on air though is it?’
The GB News segment follows similar criticism directed towards Sky News, who were branded ‘scum’ for comments made about Bear Payne, whom the late musician shares with ex-girlfriend Cheryl.
A broadcaster said on air: ‘I remember when Bear was born and we were laughing at the name because it’s quite funny.’
In response, viewers noted it was a ‘strange thing to bring up’, with X user GJ69 reminding her: ‘That kid, stupid name or not, just lost their dad’.
Payne’s father arrived in the Argentina capital this weekend to organise repatriations of his son’s body, also attending a vigil outside the hotel alongside fans.
Speaking after the tragic news broke, Payne’s family – consisting of dad Geoff, mum Karen, and sisters Ruth and Nicola – said in a statement: ‘We are heartbroken.
‘Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
‘We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.’
Meanwhile, bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles issued a joint message.
‘We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,’ the band, who went on hiatus in 2015 following Malik’s departure from the five-piece, wrote.
They added: ‘In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
‘The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.’
Tomlinson, Malik, Horan, and Styles proceeded to share their own individual tributes for their ‘brother’ to their millions of social media fans.
Police in Buenos Aires have said a preliminary autopsy suggests Payne died from external and internal bleeding injuries.
Investigations are continuing into the circumstances surrounding his death.
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