Fans block cameras from Liam Payne's dad as he visits hotel where One Direction star died

Liam Payne's dad has been paying tribute to his late son outside of the hotel where he died.

Payne, 31, tragically fell from the third floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday (16 October).

The singer died of multiple traumas and 'internal and external haemorrhage' after his body was found in the internal hotel courtyard.

His father, Geoff Payne, has since travelled to Argentina to organise the repatriation of his son, according to Associated Press.

He was pictured walking in and out of the Casa Sur Hotel, joining fans in their tributes.

"Geoff paused occasionally to put on his glasses to read the notes written in English and picked up the pictures to kiss them," Sky correspondent Martha Kelner said.

"He also thanked fans for being there."

Over on social media, footage of Geoff getting out of his taxi and into the hotel shows fans 'blocking' paparazzi from taking photos.

Taking to X, one fan wrote: "Liam's fans are fighting with the paparazzi to protect his privacy at this time, putting up their hands and backpacks so they can't take pictures."

"My heart goes out to Liam Payne's family during this tragic time; it's commendable that his fans are standing up against the paparazzi to protect his privacy and show their support," a second added.

"Heartbreaking situation. It's great to see fans rallying to protect his family's privacy during this difficult time," a third tweeted.

Now, Kelner also noted that Geoff 'was not allowed into the exact room, which is still an active investigation scene, but he was shown a room with a similar layout'.

"He earlier visited the morgue to confirm the identity of his son and the prosecutor's office to arrange for his repatriation to the UK," she added.

Payne rose to fame on The X Factor alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, when One Direction was formed.

Simon Cowell broke his silence in a tribute shared on Instagram last night, saying he felt 'truly devastated'.

"This is so difficult to put into words right now. I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together. I wanted to let you know what I would always say to the thousands of people who would always ask me. What is Liam like?" he wrote.

"And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans.

"I had to tell you when you were 14 that this wasn't your time. And we both made a promise that we would meet again. A lot of people would have given up. You didn't. You came back and within months the whole world knew Liam."