Louis Tomlinson’s heartwarming old posts about Liam Payne resurface as One Direction fans reminisce over the bandmates’ relationship

As One Direction fans join other members of the band in mourning over Liam Payne‘s tragic death, they have reminisced over the Wolverhampton-born singer’s relationships with his former bandmates – and Louis Tomlinson in particular.   

Liam tragically plunged 45ft to his death from the third floor of the balcony in his room at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, prompting a wave of tributes from across the world. 

Since his tragic death, many of the singer’s family have taken to social media to pay their respects to to the Wolverhampton born star. One Direction released a statement yesterday saying they were all ‘completely devastated by the news’.

In addition to the group statement, each band member has taken to social media separately to pay tribute to Liam – with Louis, 33, calling the late star his ‘brother’. 

In the wake of Louis’s tribute, fans of the band have recalled how, despite reports over the years of animosity between One Direction members, Louis ‘never gave up’ on Liam and publicly supported and praised his former bandmate long after the band split up in 2015. 

Former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson (right) has paid tribute to his late ‘friend’ and ‘brother’ Liam Payne (left) – as fans dig up heartwarming comments he left always offering a shoulder to lean on

Liam and Louis pictured at the BRIT awards in 2016. Since his tragic death, many of the singer’s family have taken to social media to pay their respects to to the Wolverhampton born star

Old Tweets and Instagram comments written from Louis to Liam have resurfaced, with fans broken hearted by the close relationship between the friends.

Taking to X/Twitter, one social media user shared a post with several tweets written from Louis to Liam. The social media user captioned the collection of tweets: ‘No because he has always constantly reaching out to Liam all the time. This breaks my heart.’

One comment on one of Liam’s Instagram pictures said ‘Give me a ring lad!!’ while another said ‘Answer your phone then d***head’.

On another occasion, Louis said again ‘Give me a ring lad!’

A fourth read: ‘Wake up d***head and give me a ring!’ 

Heartbroken fans wrote that Louis ‘never gave up on Liam’, praising him for being a ‘great friend and brother’ to his late bandmate.

While the pair’s journey to friendship wasn’t always smooth sailing, they continued to support each other following the schism of the band, sharing dark moments through Liam’s struggles with addiction and Louis’ family tragedies. 

In a joint statement released last night, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles said they were ‘completely devastated.’

‘In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,’ they wrote. 

‘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 – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.’

Louis an Liam pictured in 2015. Heartbroken fans wrote that Louis ‘never gave up on Liam’, praising him for being a ‘great friend and brother’ to his late bandmate

In a separate emotional tribute, Louis – who was the closest bandmember to the late Liam – said that he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’

He posted a picture on his Instagram page of the two of them on stage with Liam lovingly putting his arm over Liam’s shoulder

In a separate emotional tribute, Louis – who was the closest bandmember to the late Liam – said that he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’.

He posted a picture on his Instagram page of the two of them on stage with Liam lovingly putting his arm over Liam’s shoulder.

In the touching statement, Louis said he would be an uncle to Payne’s son Bear if he ‘ever needs me’ and ‘tell him stories of how amazing his dad was’.

‘I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life,’ he wrote.

‘I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.

‘I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.

‘Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X’  

Louis Tomlinson said he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’ in a separate tribute to Payne 

Zayn Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne ‘hoping you can hear me’

Meanwhile, old tweets written from Louis to Liam have resurfaced, with fans broken hearted by the close relationship between the friends – with Louis ‘never giving up on his fellow bandmate

While often considered to be each other’s closest pals in the band, Louis and Liam didn’t always see eye to eye, with the two often disagreeing.  

One Direction were one of the biggest boy bands in the world, with more than 70 million records sold worldwide after they competed in the X Factor in 2010. 

Liam previously opened up about the ups and downs of the friendships within the band as the five youngsters navigated global fame. 

Speaking on Sunday Brunch in 2019, Liam said: ‘I think people have a misconception that we were all just massive mates and whatever else; it’s not the case. But, you know, there’s no bad blood between anyone.’ 

During an interview in 2019 with Hits Radio, Liam admitted that he and Louis initially ‘absolutely hated each other’.

In a statement signed ‘Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry’, Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates said they were ‘completely devastated’

The two clashed over battles to be the ‘leader’ of the group, with Louis trying to take control while Liam dismissed him because he had been ‘singing for quite a bit of time’. 

Liam told ET Canada in 2021 that when the band first formed, the two did not get along. 

He said: ‘We all got thrown together, and we didn’t know each other when got made into a band.

‘Now we are actually the best of friends within the band, which I think is absolutely hilarious… I think even in those moments of angst it breathes a connection between you both.’

Later, in 2022, Liam said on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast that Louis’ ‘wild’ spirit had caused tension. ‘Like, [we] come-to-blows hated each other. It was close,’ he said.

The remarks sparked controversy amongst fans but once again, Louis was ready to defend his friend.

Speaking on The Zach Sang Show, Louis defended his former band mate, acknowledging that the pressures of their fame posed ‘challenges’ – he said he was ‘ready to kick off’ after seeing fans’ comments regarding the podcast.

Louis said: ‘We all make mistakes of having these judgements when we watch videos or whatever it might be. Let me say this job is f***ing challenging at times, mentally very f***ing challenging at times. And I know no one who’s listening to this wants to f***ing hear that cause you know we’ve got it good, I appreciate that.’ 

But time proved to be the healer of all, as the two quickly reconciled their differences and a close friendship blossomed. 

The pop star rose to fame after competing on the X Factor in 2010, where he became a member of chart-topping band One Direction alongside Harry Styles , Niall Horan , Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. Pictured together 2011

One of Payne’s final selfies in Buenos Aires was captioned: ‘Lovely day in Argentina’ 

The former One Direction stars pictured in 2013

After the band began their infinite hiatus in 2016, Louis experienced a number of personal tragedies – his mother, Johannah Deakin died from leukaemia the same year, while his younger sister, Félicité died of an accidental overdose a few years later in 2019.

Following the death of Louis’ mother, Liam left a heartfelt note to his bandmate on Twitter.

He wrote: ‘I am so sorry for you, my brother. My heart aches for you. Just know I love you the same from a million miles away as I do right next to you. I’m always here for you through everything as you have been for me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this incredibly sad time.’

He added that he ‘can’t begin to imagine what you are all going through’, signing off with ‘RIP, Johannah, you are forever in my thoughts.’

But Liam acknowledged he had not been there for Louis during the difficult period, having been focused on his own health issues. He said he was ‘ashamed’ to have not been able to ‘be as good of a friend as you have been to me’.

Liam was raised in Wolverhampton by his mother Karen, a nurse, and father Geoff, a fitter, and had two older sisters, Nicola and Ruth 

Liam Payne arrives for a film premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in November 2010

Bridging the gap between the pals, Liam loyally attended the premiere of Louis’ documentary All of Those Voices in 2023 – a film made about the pop star’s life and struggles.

At the time of the premiere in March, Liam took to Instagram to share a heart warming congratulations to his friend. He penned: ‘Seeing the world through your eyes last night was the most beautiful thing to experience.’

He continued: ‘My neck hurts from how much I’m looking up to you right now you were already my friend and brother but getting to look through that window into your world and mind just extends that respect I have for you. 

‘What you’ve dealt with and how you held it all inside. I’m so sorry I was so out of my mind and didn’t do better for you.

‘I feel ashamed in those moments to not be as good of a friend as you have been to me, at least I have time now and I’m me again so will try and make amends.  

‘I’m so thankful to have you in my life mate. I feel so lucky and I know you know this but you were part of a small group of people that literally saved my life, you dragged me out of something so dark I’ve never shared it, but your approach is something I admire and aspire to so I can one day do the same.’

Louis responded sweetly to his longstanding pal: ‘Special thank you to Liam for being there for me. It means the absolute world. Love you lad!’