One Direction star Zayn Malik’s heartbreaking message for ‘brother’ Liam Payne at concert

Zayn Malik has paid tribute to Liam Payne during a concert in his former One Direction band mate’s hometown of Wolverhampton, saying he “hopes” the late star sees his gig.

The singer, 31, had kicked off his Stairway To The Sky tour in Leeds’ O2 Academy with an on-stage blue screen message that read “Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro” with a pink heart.

He had not appeared to directly speak about Payne, who died aged 31 in Argentina in October, during previous shows on the tour.

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Videos on social media showed Malik telling his audience at the University of Wolverhampton venue The Halls “I’ve been doing something, at the end of the show, every night, and it’s been dedicated to my brother Liam Payne”.

“Rest in peace,” Malik said.

“I hope you’re seeing this. We’re in your hometown tonight - Wolverhampton, this is for you, Liam.”

Malik rescheduled his tour’s original opening dates in Edinburgh due to Payne’s funeral, which he attended with fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan.

Malik left One Direction in 2015 before the group went on indefinite hiatus in 2016, with the members all going on to pursue solo careers.

Following the death of Payne, Malik said he “never got to thank” his friend for supporting him through some of the “most difficult” times in his life.

“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,” he said in a statement shared to Instagram.

“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever.

“There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated.

“I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you, bro.”

Argentinian prosecutors are investigating Payne’s death and three people have been charged in connection with the incident.

Payne died on October 16 of multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage” after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, a post-mortem report said.

Malik plays Manchester on Saturday, before heading to Leeds and Newcastle.