Zayn Malik pays emotional on-stage tribute to Liam Payne in first performance since death

Zayn Malik has shared an emotional tribute to his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne in his first live performance since the 31-year-old's death.

Payne tragically fell to his death from the third floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buneos Aires, Argentina, on 16 October.

An investigation into his death is still ongoing in the South American country, with a post-mortem concluding the singer had died from ‘internal and external haemorrhage’, after suffering injuries 'not compatible' with life from the fall.

Liam Payne passed away on 16 October, at the age of 31 (Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Payne's death sent shockwaves through the music industry, with fans around the world coming together to share tributes to the singer.

His former bandmate Malik has now marked the start of his new solo tour with a touching message to Payne, which appeared on screen at the end of the gig.

Following the performance of his closing song 'Stardust' at the 02 Academy in Leeds (23 November), a tribute was shared on the big screen alongside a red heart, reading: "Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro."

The performance marks Zayn's first tour as a solo artist since leaving One Direction nearly a decade ago, with the Bradford-born singer being candid about his battle with stage anxiety preventing him from performing live.

The message appeared on-screen at the end of the concert (X/updatingljp)

Fans were quick to share their support for Malik online after the gig, with one person writing on X: "Thank you Zayn, we are so proud of you. We love you Liam."

"The fact Zayn left the stage before the tribute appeared on the screen only shows how MUCH it hurts and is difficult for him to go through it. And you still say they're just bandmates. Zayn, we're proud of you. Stay strong. We love you," a second fan noted.

Malik was in attendance at Payne's funeral alongside his fellow ex-One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson earlier this week, which took place at St. Mary’s Church in Amersham.

The service, which was closed to the public, saw Payne's family joined by his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, X Factor boss Simon Cowell, Adrian Chiles and Cheryl, whom the singer shared a seven-year-old son with.

Zayn kicked off his tour after postponing dates in the US and Edinburgh (Andrew Benge/Getty Images for ABA)

Malik's tour was previously scheduled to begin in the US back in October, however, the 31-year-old singer postponed the dates in light of Payne's death.

"Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I've made the decision to postpone the US leg of the Stairway to the Sky Tour," he posted on X at the time.

"Love you all and thank you for your understanding."

He is now expected to head out to the states in January.