Harry Styles Mourns One Direction’s Liam Payne In Tribute To “My Lovely Friend”

Harry Styles is paying tribute to the late Liam Payne as One Direction mourns their loss.

After Payne died at age 31 on Wednesday, his fellow 1D alum shared a heartfelt statement and reflected on his “most cherished years” performing with the group at the beginning of their respective careers.

“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,” he wrote in a statement on Instagram.

“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,” added Styles. “The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I 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. – Harry”