Liam Payne was honoured with a touching tribute at the opening of Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball at the O2 in London on Saturday evening. 

The One Direction star, who performed solo at the annual event in 2019, tragically died at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. 

Before the performances, which included Coldplay and Perrie Edwards, Liam was remembered inside the iconic venue.

‘Tonight we remember Liam Payne,’ was the message splashed across the big screen as the lights were dimmed for a moment of quiet reflection before the star-studded show began.

Speaking about the tribute, an attendee told the Mirror: ‘It was the perfect way to open the show. The whole of The O2 went dark and quiet and then the tribute to Liam was shown on the screen. Thousands erupted into cheers and it was so touching.’

It comes after Zayn Malik paid tribute to his ‘brother’ Liam as he returned to the stage for the first time since the death of his former bandmate.

Liam Payne was honoured with a touching tribute at the opening of Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball at the O2 in London on Saturday evening

The One Direction star, who performed solo at the annual event in 2019, tragically died at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina

Liam pictured during his 2019 performance at the Jingle Bell Ball 

During his first solo show, after Zayn left the stage, a backdrop appeared which read: ‘Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro,’ and a red heart.

Liam died on October 16, with his One Direction bandmates seen in public together for the first time in nine years as they paid their respects at his funeral on November 20.

Former bandmates Harry Styles, 30, Niall Horan, 31, Louis Tomlinson, 32, and Zayn arrived separately at the church for a poignant final send off.

Harry dressed in black, pulled up to the funeral in a BMW, while Niall attended with his girlfriend Amelia Woolley, with Zayn Malik arriving shortly after Louis.

In a joint statement released following Liam’s death, Harry, Louis, Zayn, and Niall said they were ‘completely devastated.’

‘In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,’ they said.

‘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.

It comes after Zayn Malik paid tribute to his ‘brother’ Liam as he returned to the stage for the first time since the death of his former bandmate

Opening his gig at the weekend, Zayn stood in front of a backdrop which read: ‘Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro,’ and a red heart

Liam Payne ‘s funeral took place on November 30, with all four of his former One Direction bandmates at the ceremony 

Aerial view of the hotel where British singer Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires

Liam rose to fame with band One Direction. He is pictured with bandmates (left-right) Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik

‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.’

Louis, Harry and Zayn all later released separate tributes.

Harry wrote on Instagram that he was ‘truly devastated’ and will ‘miss him always’.

‘His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.

‘Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.

‘He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.

‘My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew him and loved him, as I did.’

Louis said in a separate emotional tribute that he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’.

In a statement signed ‘Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry’, Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates said they were ‘completely devastated’

He posted a picture on his Instagram page of the two of them on stage with Payne lovingly putting his arm over Louis’s shoulder.

Louis said he would be an uncle to Liam’s son Bear if he ‘ever needs me’ and ‘tell him stories of how amazing his dad was’.

‘I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life,’ he wrote.

‘I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.

‘I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.

‘Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X’.

Zayn said he had been talking out loud to Payne ‘hoping you can hear me’.

In his own heart wrenching tribute, he said he had ‘lost a brother when you left us’.

Louis Tomlinson said he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’ in a separate tribute to Payne 

Zayn Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne ‘hoping you can hear me’

Harry Styles wrote on Instagram that he was ‘truly devastated’ and will ‘miss him always’

‘And I can’t explain you you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,’ he wrote.

‘I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro.’

Zayn was the first to quit One Direction in August 2015, citing ‘stress’, after withdrawing from the group’s world tour. 

The band officially announced its split in January 2016, breaking the hearts of millions of fans across the globe.