Niall Horan shares heartbreaking realisation after Liam Payne's death

Niall Horan has explained the awful realisation he had while watching TV reports about the death of his close friend and former One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne.

Liam died in October 2024 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. Aged just 31, the music world was sent in to shock as all his former bandmates paid tribute to the dad-of-one.

Almost two years on from Liam's death, bandmate Niall has spoken out about one of the most tragic outcomes he experienced coming to terms with his friend passing away.

In an interview with A Mug of Life, Niall remembered one moment he was watching TV reports about the death.

"This was the first time that like someone close to me had passed," Niall, 32, said.

"It was all over the news and that was weird. And it was strange just looking at TV, you'd see pictures on the TV and I'd be in that photo with them.

"And it's like, 'what? The guy next to me is just no longer with us'. It's just very strange to me."

'Perception on the world has changed'

Asking how he's changed since Liam's death, Niall said he 'definitely says no to less, if you know what I mean'.

"Like, if people are asking me to do something with them," he explained.

Even if he wanted to just laze around and 'sit on the couch', Niall said now 'probably' will do whatever plans in front of him 'because you don't know how long you've got'.

He said: "I have to just take it all in and get out there and, you know, to use the cliche, live life to its fullest."

Liam Payne (Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Liam Payne death investigation

Senior coroner Crispin Butler is currently waiting on more details from Argentina before he proceeds with the inquest in to Liam's death.

Under UK law, an inquest determines the facts surrounding a sudden, unnatural, or unexplained death.

His cause of death at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires was earlier confirmed as polytrauma; this is a medical term that describes what happens to a person who has sustained multiple traumatic injuries to their body parts or organ systems.

As it stands, two people remain charged with criminal negligence in connection to his death, with charges against another three people dropped last year.

The next pre-inquest review in to Liam's death takes place on December 1 this year.

One Direction tribute to Liam Payne

While the four other 1D band members posted their own tributes to Liam, they also issued a joint message as a band.

"We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing," they wrote in the immediate aftermath of Liam's passing.

"In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.

"The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.

"We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.

"Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry."