Liam Payne shocked fans with a dangerous balcony stunt a decade before his tragic death. The One Direction star died on 16 October 2024 after falling from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during a holiday with his girlfriend.
An old photo from 2014 resurfaced, showing the singer on a narrow ledge of a tall building. Dressed in a checkered shirt and black trousers, Payne stood on the high corner ledge overlooking the London cityscape, with lights and buildings visible in the background as night fell.
Fans' reaction and apology
At the time, fans were horrified and took to social media to express their fear. One person tagged the singer, writing: "That photo of @Real_Liam_Payne on that balcony really gave me a mini heart attack...please don't do that again!" Another said: "@Real_Liam_Payne should stop thinking he's Batman when he's not...stop climbing on your balcony!"
Following the backlash, Payne issued an apology: "You may have seen a photo of me today taken on top of a building. I regret being there and having a photo taken. It was a stupid and irresponsible thing to do. I am sorry and do not endorse any fans trying to repeat this as it is extremely dangerous."
Death and tributes
Liam sustained "very serious injuries after falling from a third floor into an internal courtyard" on 16 October 2024. Supporters gathered outside the hotel where his body was discovered, placing lit candles to honour his memory. Celebrity friends shared heartfelt messages, including X Factor host Dermot O'Leary, who posted on Instagram: "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."
