Rita Ora pays tearful tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Europe Music Awards

Rita Ora paid a tearful tribute to Liam Payne as she hosted this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs) in Manchester at the weekend.

Ora, who collaborated with Payne on their 2018 hit single For You, gave the moving speech which came almost a month after the One Direction star's death.

Her voice faltering, she told the audience that she remembered him as "one of the kindest people that I knew".

Delivering her tribute dressed in a dark suit, the poignant moment was in stark contrast to the upbeat tone of the rest of the ceremony, which saw the Pet Shop Boys given a special tribute and Taylor Swift becoming the first person to win Best Artist three times in the EMA’s 30 year history. Other winners included Raye, Sabrina Carpenter, Tyla and Benson Boone.

Sunday's ceremony was the first time the event has been held in the UK since 2017, and the third time Ora had hosted. Leaving her tribute to Liam Payne until close to the end of the show, she said: "I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us," she told the audience.

"We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of you at home and everybody in here tonight."

She added: "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.

"He had the biggest heart, and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could.

"He brought so much joy to every room he walked into, and he left such a mark on this world. So let's just take a moment to remember our friend."

Struggling to contain her grief, she then introduced a short video featuring photos of Payne and a snippet of One Direction song Night Changes and featuring photos of Payne.

The tribute read, “MTV remembers Liam Payne 1993 – 2024”.

The former One Direction star died after falling from a hotel balcony last month. Days after his death, Ora broke down mid-show while on tour in Japan. At the show in Osaka, she required the audience to help carry her through the song she and Liam collaborated on called For You.

Authorities have since ruled out Payne’s death as suicide. Drugs including "pink cocaine" and "cristal" were detected in his system. Three people have been charged in connection to his death including one hotel employee who allegedly gave him the drugs.

The MTV Europe Music Awards were held in Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena.

The show featured live performances from artists Shawn Mendes, Raye, Tyla and K-pop group Le Sserafim.

One of the biggest winners of the night was singer Taylor Swift, who was nominated for seven awards and took home four, including best artist, video (for Fortnight), live act and US artist. Swift was not in Manchester to accept her awards, as she is preparing for the last part of her Eras tour in Canada, and instead sent a video acceptance speech.

"I am coming to you from the Eras tour, and I'm so sad that I can't be with you tonight. But thank you so much for these amazing awards," she said.

"The fact that you have honoured the tour [and] everything that's happened with the album this year, the video, it's just unbelievable.”

"I had the best time touring in Europe this summer, so it just is wonderful for you to do this," she added.

She also thanked singer Post Malone, who featured on the song Fortnight with her, and her fans for voting for her.

Elsewhere, Sabrina Carpenter won best song for her hit Espresso but was also unable to make it to the show due to being on her Short n’ Sweet tour.

Raye picked up the award for best UK and Ireland act and performed two songs at the ceremony.

US singer-songwriter Benson Boone opened the show by playing the piano while floating in the air above the crowd before picking up the prize for best new artist.

South African star Tyla won best R&B, best Afrobeats and best African artist, saying she was "honoured and humbled."

Wicked star Ariana Grande picked up the award for best pop, and South Korean all girl K-pop group Le Sserafim won best push.

Shawn Mendes and US artist Teddy Swims also performed live at the award show.

The Pet Shop Boys won the pop pioneers award for their 40 years in the music industry, and rapper Busta Rhymes won the global icon award, saying, "Tonight is a dream come true. I'm honoured. I feel tremendously blessed."

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