reaching out
Paddy McGuinness shares heartbreaking messages he received from Liam Payne about his sobriety
The Sun revealed this evening how Liam entered rehab just weeks ago in a brave bid to get clean — but heartbreakingly quit after two days
PADDY McGuinness has shared the heartbreaking messages he received from Liam Payne before his tragic death.
Ex-One Direction star Liam passed away aged 31 on Wednesday after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Presenter Paddy, 51, who took part in Soccer Aid with him in both 2022 and 2023, has since posted WhatsApp messages from the late singer to his Instagram Story.
In the screenshot, The X Factor finalist spoke openly about his sobriety, revealing he wanted to lean on some of his friends for support.
His message read: "Course mate. I don't have many mates I can trust who know how I feel and since being sober I'm wanting to branch out more instead of hiding away."
The former Take Me Out host praised Liam for being "open and honest" as he paid tribute alongside the exchange.
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He wrote: "I really enjoyed the small amount of time I got to hang out with Liam. His messages were always open and honest.
"I could never comprehend that level of fame and attention? Let alone the effect it has on someone so young? Rest in peace young un."
The Sun revealed this evening how Liam entered rehab just weeks ago in a brave bid to get clean — but heartbreakingly quit after two days.
The Little Things hitmaker checked in to The Priory in late July to try to beat his drugs and booze demons.
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But he walked out 48 hours into his 28-day Addiction Therapy Programme — devastating close family and friends.
A source said: “He gave it a go at overcoming his addictions once and for all. He really wanted to get his life on track.
Troubling pics from Liam Payne's hotel room show white powder after fall
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“All his loved ones were rooting for him.
"There was dismay when he managed just 48 hours of treatment.
"He bravely sought help but couldn’t stay the course.”
Troubled Liam told aides he wanted to beat his addictions for himself, son Bear, seven, and his family.
He signed up to the £5,000-a-night centre in South West London and started a strict detox programme.
But sources said the star hardly left his room and did not attend classes with others seeking help.
He began taking chlordiazepoxide, a sedative used to treat symptoms of withdrawing from alcohol and drugs.
But the treatment proved too much and he checked himself out of rehab.
A source said: “Family and management did everything they could.
"Liam was loved, adored and incredibly talented.
"But he just couldn’t beat his demons.
Liam was loved, adored and incredibly talented. But he just couldn’t beat his demons
Sun source
"It got so bad that last year management begged him not to drive, it was dangerous.
"Loved ones hid his keys but he just bought another car.
“There is some solace in his loved ones knowing he was aware how much everyone was rooting for him.
“He confronted his issues head-on, hoping to get back on track.”
Last year, Liam revealed he had spent 100 days in a wellness clinic.
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He told of his rehab stint and said: “I just needed to take a little bit of time out for myself actually, because I kind of became somebody who I didn't really recognise any more."
At the time, he praised his mum and son and said: "Honestly, more than anything I want to say thank you to Bear and his mum for giving me a little bit of freedom to go and get well.
"There is no point trying to be a dad when you have nothing to teach.
“I feel like I have a grip on life now.
"After I got back out, that process had worked for me, but there were still some little bits left that I kind of had to deal with myself.”
TRAGIC DEATH
Liam's autopsy revealed he suffered severe injuries that led to “internal and external haemorrhaging”.
His family told of their heartbreak as they hailed the star's "kind soul".
It read: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
"We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.";
Champagne, prescription drugs, white powder and foil wraps were all found in Liam's trashed hotel room after he fell from the balcony at around 5pm (9pm UK time).
Fellow hotel guests revealed the star had been acting in a "disturbing" manner shortly before his fall, with Liam admitting to one woman: "I used to be in a boy band - that's why I'm so f**ked up."
A woman also staying at the CasaSur Hotel in the Palermo area of the Argentine capital where Liam died on Wednesday afternoon, said he displayed "disturbing" behaviour shortly before the tragedy.
She said Liam told her: "I used to be in a boy band - that's why I'm so f**ked up."
The 28-year-old said she has been left "shaken" by what happened, having seen Liam just moments before he died.
She told how "there was something a bit desperate" about Liam's behaviour.
She encountered Liam in the foyer of the hotel on Wednesday afternoon and took photos of him at 4.26pm local time (8.26pm UK time).
One Direction statements in full
We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
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.
Louis Tomlinson wrote: ";His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on.
"Thank you for shaping us Liam.
"I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
"I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you."
Zayn Malik said: "Liam I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
"I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
"When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid, you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved."
He added: "When it came to the music, Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense.
"I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
"I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly.
"I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever".
And Harry Styles wrote: "I am truly devastated by Liam's passing.
"His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
"Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
"He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving.
"The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
"My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did."
Niall Horan wrote: "I'm absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn't feel real.
"Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
"All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
"We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime.
"I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn't know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking.
"My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear."
She claims he became "upset" by an email on his screen and shouted "f**k this s**t mate" before smashing the laptop on the ground.
A 911 call from hotel staff later that afternoon revealed they needed "urgent assistance" from cops to help with a guest "behaving erratically".
Liam was found dead in the hotel's inner courtyard and his death was confirmed as soon as ambulance crews arrived.
Cops discovered "what appeared to be narcotics, alcohol, destroyed objects and furniture" in his room.
Forensic teams reported that a whiskey bottle, lighter and mobile phone were retrieved from the building’s internal courtyard where Liam's body was found.
But cops are yet to confirm what the substances found in the room are and are due to run tests on them shortly.
The singer had been open about his battles with addiction in the past.
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Officials have said "everything indicates" that he was alone when he died and could have been partly or fully unconscious when he fell.
A full toxicology report is still pending and could take weeks to become public.
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED friends, family and fans have paid heartbreaking tributes to Liam as news of the singer's death circulated across the world.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction's camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing 'Just a boy...' alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: "Such an awful tragedy.
"Sending love to his family and all those who loved him."
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was "devastated" and "lost for words".
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x".
Liam Gallagher said he was "very sad" and told his followers on X: "Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.";
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning today.
He said: “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.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the "devastating news" on her show today and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: "I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
"We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
"Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP."
Niall Horan's brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a "top young man".
He added: "You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
"My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
"10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x"
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: "RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…"
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: "I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
"He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone...
"I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry..."
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: "RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family."
In another tweet, they added: "Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne."
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: "So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend."
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam's tragic death on Instagram, adding: "Can't believe this! RIP Liam."
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: "I'm so taken aback, rest in peace."
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