Liam Payne entered a rehab facility just weeks ago in a bid to get his life back on track, but tragically left after just two days.
The One Direction star, who died in Argentina on Wednesday, had secured a place at The Priory, an addictions and mental health hospital in south-west London, at the end of July.
The Sun reported that the 31-year-old signed up for his 28-day addiction therapy program to finally overcome his demons for his son Bear, 7, and his family.
But the £5,000-a-night facility proved too much for Payne and he left after just 48 hours, as sources alleged he “barely left his room” and “didn’t attend any classes”.
Liam Payne died on Wednesday after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I was only 31
Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, posted a photo of the couple on her Instagram last August.
In addition to her touching tribute to the late Cheryl, 31, she posted a photo of the father and son.
A source who spoke to The Sun claimed: ‘The family and management did everything they could. Liam was loved, adored and incredibly talented. But he just couldn’t overcome his demons.
“The situation got so bad that last year the management begged him not to drive, it was dangerous.” His loved ones hid his keys but he just bought another car.
“There is some comfort in his loved ones knowing that he was aware of how much everyone supported him. He faced his problems head-on, hoping to get back on track.’
The singer was pronounced dead at the scene after falling 45 feet from the balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires.
Tributes to the pop star have been flooded by millions of Payne’s friends and fans, including the mother of his daughter Cheryl Cole.
The Girls Aloud singer was previously in a relationship with him for two years, and the couple welcomed Bear Gray into the world on March 22, 2017.
The grieving mother has taken to Instagram to tell of her anguish as she attempts to “navigate this momentous event.”
Her statement read: “As I try to navigate this momentous event and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time.”
‘I would like to remind everyone that we have lost a human being.
“Liam wasn’t just a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our seven-year-old son.
“A son who now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”
The Girls Aloud singer was previously in a relationship with Payne for two years, and the couple welcomed their son Bear Gray into the world on March 22, 2017.
Before his sudden death around 5 pm (ART), the pop star had been attending his former bandmate Niall Horan’s tour in the Latin American country.
A heartbreaking video shows Liam Payne singing and dancing at the concert with his current partner Kate Cassidy.
After the concert, to the delight of fans, she posted a photo with Niall on Snapchat with the caption: “Reunited.”
Kate also broke her silence tonight following his tragic death. She took to Instagram to express her sadness, telling her followers: “I’ve been completely lost,” “nothing seems real.”
The 25-year-old wrote that she will love her “angel” “for the rest of her life,” adding in the tribute “444,” which is considered an angel number in numerology.
Kate and Liam began dating in October 2022 and made their red carpet debut at the Fashion Awards that same year.
Just days before his death, Kate shared a touching post dedicated to the singer.
The blonde beauty snapped a photo of the pop star riding a horse in the countryside. Liam could be seen wearing a casual gray t-shirt as he sat on the horse and spoke to someone who appeared to be helping him.
Over the image, Kate wrote: “I’m so grateful for the simple things in life.”
Before the singer’s death, I had seen one last Snapchat post that showed him happily posing with Kate as they looked in a mirror. A photograph originally taken last August.
In a joint statement released last night, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Harry Styles said they were “completely devastated”.
“In time, and when everyone can do it, there will be more to say,” they said.
Liam Payne arrives for a film premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square in November 2010
The English star rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction, alongside his former bandmates Harry, Niall, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson; (LR) Liam, Niall, Louis, Zayn and Harry in 2013
Several witnesses said Payne had fallen from his room at the Hotel Casa Sur Palmero shortly after 5 pm (ART) on Wednesday night; seen in 2018
“But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, whom we love very much.
‘The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the fans who loved him alongside us.
‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam: Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
Liam began his quest for stardom when he initially auditioned for the X Factor in 2008.
At just 14, Liam impressed the judges with his own version of Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon, but was later eliminated from the show.
However, Payne gave his singing career another shot by auditioning for the competition again in 2010, where he quickly rose to fame as part of One Direction.
He and his former bandmates Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson were brought together by Simon Cowell and former judge Nicole Scherzinger, who saw their potential as a group.
After a few weeks of getting to know each other and rehearsing non-stop, the group impressed Simon at their audition for Judge’s Houses and moved on to the live shows.
Pop Svengali later admitted to Rolling Stone that it took him “about a millionth of a second” to spot the group’s global potential.
Fan reaction was also instant, and 1D’s hysteria soon overshadowed the show. Despite the adoration, the band eventually finished third on the X Factor, but soon after Cowell sealed their fate by signing all five to a £2 million Syco contract.
