Inside Rita Ora and Liam Payne's close friendship as she pays touching tribute to late star

MTV EMA's host Rita Ora paid a touching tribute to her 'very dear' friend, late One Direction star Liam Payne, at the awards show last night and said he had the 'biggest heart'

Rita Ora painfully shared how her song with Liam Payne now has a 'whole new meaning'.

The pop icon, 33, hosted the MTV EMA last night and paid tribute to the late One Direction star, who tragically died after falling from the third floor of a balcony at a Buenos Aires hotel last month. Fighting back tears, Rita emotionally said to the cameras: "I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us.

"We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight. Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew. And, you know, there were so many ways that we were talking about honouring him, and I think sometimes just simply speaking is enough."

Dressed in a dark suit, in a poignant moment that contrasted the rest of the upbeat night, Rita continued: "He had the biggest heart, he was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could. He put so much joy into every room he walked in. And he left such a mark on this world. So let's just take a moment to remember our friend."

Prior to Rita hosting the EMAs, a source told The Sun that the British singer would want to be involved in MTV's plans to commemorate Liam on the show. Touching on their friendship, they said: "She and Liam have been close for years and grew in the industry together. Obviously, she is devastated by his passing."

Six years ago, the pair collaborated on a hit single, For You, for the soundtrack to the film Fifty Shades Freed. It reached the top 10 in the UK in 2018. The song was also included on Rita's second studio album, Phoenix, that same year and Liam's debut album in 2019.

Last month, Rita penned a touching tribute to Liam as she took to the stage in Osaka, Japan, to sing their duet. In a heartbreaking moment, she could be seen holding her head in her hands as she turned away from the crowds. She looked up and confessed: "I can't even sing this right now."

In 2020, Liam took to Facebook to mark the anniversary of making their single and called Rita a "true friend". He said: "Wow, two years since For You! I loved working with Rita Ora on this song. Recording this was a lot of fun in the studio, and we've also had a lot of good times since then."

He continued: "You are someone I can call a true friend and it was an absolute pleasure working with you." It is understood Liam even moved into Rita's £3.25million London penthouse a year later, in 2021, with his ex-fiancée Maya Henry.

After the news of Liam's death, Rita wrote on social media how their song together now has a 'whole new meaning'. She said: "I'm devastated. He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much - he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P."