Niall Horan remembers final meeting with Liam Payne in heartbreaking statement on former bandmate's death

One Direction star Niall Horan has released a statement after the tragic death of bandmate Liam Payne.

In the statement, he revealed the two had recently met up and that it is 'heartbreaking' to know it would be the last time they would be able to give each other a hug.

Payne died on Wednesday (16 October) aged just 31 after falling from the third floor balcony at the hotel he was staying at in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He is survived by his son Bear, aged seven, who he shares with former girlfriend, Girls Aloud's Cheryl.

Tributes have been paid to the singer since his sudden death, including from Harry Styles.

Fellow 1D bandmates Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson have also issued public statements on the shocking news.

Taking to social media, Horan joined his bandmates in paying tribute to their friend.

He wrote on Instagram: "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."

Horan added: "My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.

"Thank you for everything, Payno. Love you brother.

"Nialler."

Payne fell from his balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, with him sustaining injuries 'not compatible' with life, authorities said in the immediate aftermath of the incident.

Payne's body was subsequently transported to a morgue in the city centre where two forensic pathologists began the autopsy, with the preliminary results confirming the singer had died from 'internal and external haemorrhaging' sustained from the fall.

It is also understood that further toxicology tests are currently ongoing, which will determine whether or not Payne had taken any substances in the hours prior to his death.

Liam Payne was one part of boyband One Direction, formed by Simon Cowell for The X Factor back in 2010.