The Vamps’ James McVey has shared a throwback photo with the late singer Liam Payne following his tragic death aged 31 after falling from a hotel in Argentina this week
One Direction’s Liam Payne looks completely different in an old photo with another boy band star.
Following the tragic news of Liam’s death at the age of 31, The Vamps guitarist James McVay shared a never-before-seen photo of him with the late star. James posted a snap of Liam on stage with the group on his Instagram Story. The pair smiled for the camera, with Liam also seen with swept-back bangs.
In the picture, the late star was smartly dressed in a grey blazer, light grey trousers and black leather loafers. James wrote no further text, simply posting the photo to his followers. Condolences poured in from across the music industry for Liam, who fell 13-14 metres and suffered “life-threatening injuries”.
Police said the music star’s hotel room was “completely trashed” and “various items were damaged”. One Direction banded together in an emotional joint statement on Thursday night.
In a message signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry”, Liam’s One Direction members wrote: “We are completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. We will have more to say as time passes and everyone is able to. But now we are taking time to grieve and come to terms with the loss of our much loved brother.
“The memories we shared with him will be forever cherished. At this time our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the fans who loved him as much as we did. We will miss him so much. We love you, Liam.” Members of the band 5 Seconds of Summer released a joint statement, saying they were “heartbroken” to hear the news. The band said: “We are heartbroken.
“We love Liam and will never forget the impact you had on our lives. You truly believed in us and we are forever grateful for that. We don’t know if we can thank you enough. You have always been so good to us.” “It was an honour to begin this journey with you. We will never forget your presence in our lives.
“You had such a bright light in you and we always saw it. We are devastated that the world has extinguished it. May you always be there singing. Love, Calum, Ashton, Luke and Michael.” Liam’s ex-girlfriend Cheryl Tweedy, with whom he has seven-year-old son Bear, also shared his sadness.
She said it broke her heart that her son Bear might grow up and see his father being “exploited” when he is older. Following the news of Liam’s death, American gossip site TMZ published photos of Liam’s body after the fall.
The site was heavily criticised for the decision, with some calling it “horrible”. The Girls Aloud singer said: “What worries me most is that Bear will one day have access to all the sleazy reporting and media exploitation that we’ve seen over the last two days.”