X Factor host Dermot O'Leary pays tribute to Liam Payne after One Direction star dies aged 31

has shared a touching tribute to One Direction star following his tragic death.

The former host took to Instagram to share his heartbreak over Liam's tragic death at the age of 31. Posting a black and white photo of himself standing beside Liam on the talent-finding show that made him a global superstar Dermot wrote: "The worst news. I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing."

Praising Liam for his polite and down to earth personality Dermot added: "He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. Sending love and prayers to his family. Dx" Liam appeared on the X Factor in 2010 where he became part of alongside bandmates Louis Tomlinson, , Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.

had checked into a hotel in Buenos Aires on Sunday and died on Wednesday after falling from the third floor. A manager reportedly found his body after hearing a loud noise in an internal patio at the Hotel Casa Sur.

Local newspapers in the Argentine capital city, La Nacion and Clarin, both reported that the police were initially called to the hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood after receiving an emergency call regarding "an aggressive man who could be under the effects of drugs and alcohol."

Police, firefighters and ambulances were seen outside of a hotel building after Liam tragically fell. In a statement, the local ambulance manager told TN: "At 17.04 through the 911 integrated public safety system, we were alerted of a person who was in an internal courtyard of the management of a south house hotel.

"At 17.11 a SAME team arrived and verified the death of this man and later we found out that he was a singer in a musical group. Unfortunately, he had injuries that were incompatible with life, as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death, there was no possibility of resuscitation."

Fellow X Factor stars Jedward reached out to Liam Payne's ex-partner following the heartbreaking news. The . They wrote: "Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One direction Family RIP @LiamPayne."

Liam was . Liam and Cheryl were dating between 2016 and 2018 when they split. Liam, who had a well-documented battle with addiction, explaining he needed to "get well" in order to be a good dad.

Liam's final post saw him who made 1D's 2013 movie This Is Us. Alongside the photo, Liam wrote: "Rest in peace Morgan Spurlock it was a pleasure working with you."

Follow Mirror Celebs on , , , , , and .