Fans gather outside hotel where Liam Payne died to pay tribute to One Direction star

There were emotional scenes outside the Buenos Aires hotel

On Wednesday night, it was announced that the singer had been found dead in Argentina at the age of 31.

Emergency services said he had fallen from the third floor of the Hotel CasaSur in Buenos Aires. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Pablo Policicchio, a spokesperson for the security ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, said that the One Direction singer “had thrown himself from the balcony of his room”.

Police said in an update that they had been dispatched to the hotel after an emergency call informing them of “an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol”.

The head of the Buenos Aires’ SAME emergency medical service, Alberto Crescenti, told local television Payne had suffered “very serious injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall” and there was “no possibility of resuscitation”.

The musician was best known around the world as a member of One Direction, formed in 2010 by Simon Cowell on X Factor.

It is believed that Payne had been in Argentina for the concert of his former bandmate Niall Horan.

After the news of his death broke, there were emotional scenes outside the Hotel CasaSur as fans gathered to pay tribute to the singer.

Tributes have poured in from fans and celebrity friends.

Fellow X Factor stars Jedward wrote: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”

Paris Hilton said: “So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”

US pop star Charlie Puth, who previously worked with Payne on his song Bedroom Floor, penned:  “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 cannot believe he is gone.”

Sharing a clip of the pair together, he added: “I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace.”

Payne, from Wolverhampton in the UK, rose to global fame as part of One Direction, who were formed on the X Factor in 2010.

Although they didn't win the show, One Direction became one of the biggest bands in the world, before going on hiatus in 2016.

Payne went on to launch a solo career, achieving a top 5 hit with his first single Strip That Down in 2017. The following year he made the top 10 again with the song For You, which he sang with Rita Ora, before releasing his only solo album, LP1, in 2019.

He has a seven-year-old son, Bear, who he shared with former wife Cheryl Cole.