Liam Payne's sister Ruth calls brother her 'best friend' in emotional tribute after singer's tragic death

Liam Payne's sister has shared an emotional tribute to her late brother.

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

His sister Ruth, who grew up in Wolverhampton with Payne and her other sibling Nicola, has shared a touching message on social media.

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has died at the age of 31 (Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

She wrote: "I don't believe this is happening. Many times have I poured my heart out publicly with pride about Liam but never much about life as his sister.

"Liam is my best friend, no one could ever make me laugh as much as him, doing his impressions always had me creasing and he loved seeing how much of a laugh he could get.

"He moved out when he was 17 to chase his dreams, its this that forced me to finally pass my driving test during The X Factor live show weeks because I couldn't stand the thought of not being able to get to him.

"I would regularly drive to have tea with him after I finished work, just to sit around.

"One month the hotel was right by a Wagamamas and I swear he had it morning, noon and night!"

Ruth said that she 'used to love picking him up from work when it all started'.

She continued: "Our calls would often result in me laughing at his ideas and next adventure, talking through his plans and working through his issues but it would always end with 'love you miss you' 'love you ru.'

"Liam was born with music in his veins, it was clear from a very young age he just had that quality that would make him a star.

"I could sit and listen to him sing all day, which is a good job really because he never bloody stopped!"

The sister said that Liam was faced with 'all that was being aimed at you' in recent years.

Ruth added that she would 'drive to the end of the universe to bring you back'.

"You just wanted to be loved and to make people happy with your music," she said.

"You never believed you were good enough, I hope you can now see this outpouring of love that you never received in your time.

"Thank you for changing my life, thank you for the incredible memories, thank you for being the best brother and friend I'll ever have!

"We'll take care of Bear and he will always know how incredible his Dad is and how much you idolise him."

• Liam Payne's sister Nicola recalls moment his tragic death 'popped up on her phone' in emotional tribute to brother
• Rita Ora cries during emotional tribute to friend Liam Payne at MTV EMAS following tragic death
• Liam Payne's girlfriend shares statement following singer's tragic death aged 31
• Brits viewers left in tears during emotional tribute to Liam Payne following tragic death