Pride of Britain Awards celebrities unite to urge young artists are protected after Liam Payne death

The Pride of Britain Awards saw celebs come out in force and many musician shared the same message in the tragic aftermath of One Direction star Liam Payne's death aged 31

The death of Liam Payne continues to send shockwaves around the globe.

On Monday evening Pride of Britain Awards attendees united to urge more care for young artists following the death of the One Direction star in Argentina last month aged just 31.

Among those calling for change were big hitters in the music industry including Chesney Hawkes and Beverley Knight, while fellow talent show star JB Gill also shared the appeal. The artists took to the red carpet at the 25th annual event and Beverley admitted she had been left "heartbroken" by Liam's passing.

Beverley and Liam both hailed from Wolverhampton, leaving the ballad singer feeling a connection to the boyband star. She admitted the link had made her keep an eye on his progression through the ranks from X Factor hopeful to global superstar.

She told Mail Online: "He was a young lad from the same town as me, he walked the same streets as me. I knew the school he went to, people he hung around with. I though of his parents Geoff and Karen, his sisters. I just thought where is the care for these young people who come to fame at such an early age."

She went on to demand more care for youngsters in the industry, calling One Direction just "babies" at the time they formed. "As minors there should be so much more care, so much more attention," she added, saying theatres offer chaperones up until the age of 18. Beverley insisted the change needed to happen to protect kids and not just use them as a way to make money. "Their mental health has to be looked after first and foremost," she urged.

The message was echoed by JB Gill who also rose to fame thanks to the X Factor. The JLS man, who is currently competing in Strictly Come Dancing, opened up on the difficult side of fame. He told the publication:'I think there's definitely something to be said for protecting artists full stop."

And Chesney Hawkes also claimed he hoped the tragedy could see change implemented, saying the business has a habit of "spitting out" people. He said:"I feel there needs to be more support for artists. Especially artists that go through these reality shows where they are very famous for one minute and then spat out."

The words come as a number of other celebrities also opened up on the tragedy prior to the event. 1D band mate Louis Tomlinson's sister dressed all in black for the occasion just hours after sharing an emotional tribute. Lottie placed a protective hand on her pregnant bump as she prepared to join other stars for the award ceremony in the capital alongside partner Lewis Burton.

Earlier in the afternoon on Monday, Lottie had shared footage from the window of a car travelling down a motorway and penned a tribute to Liam. She wrote on social media: "Home with a heavy heart. Rest in peace, Liam, you were loved by so many and will be so greatly missed. Sending so much love to everyone." She followed up the video on Instagram Stories with a black and white photograph of her brother with Liam along with a white heart emoji.

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