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Dermot O’Leary fights tears and says ‘no parent should bury their child’ after Liam Payne’s death
On Thursday’s instalment of This Morning, the ITV started off by paying tribute to One Direction star Liam Payne.
It was announced this week the 31-year-old died after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina.
Clearly emotional while speaking about the loss, Dermot said: “I just thought of his family, I thought of his son and then I thought of his parents. I mean no parent should have to bury their son or their daughter.
“Obviously our thoughts and our prayers, our candles are half-lit for his family. That goes without saying.”
The pop sensation first auditioned for X Factor at the age of 14, although the judges believed he wasn’t quite ready and Liam returned two years later.
Dermot paid tribute to Liam while on This Morning
At 16, he was placed in the boy group One Direction who finished the competition in third place back in 2010. However, the group became a global sensation, with hits across the world.
Reflecting on his time on X-Factor, Dermot added: “You get to know the families so well in such a short period of time. His mum and dad were just adorable. They were never pushy, this was very much his dream. He loved, he just loved to sing.”
Dermot shared that the last time he saw Liam was at Soccer Aid a few years ago, although had nothing but kind words to say about the late star.
He added: “He was both wise and sort of a young soul at the exactly same time. He had this old bones about him, like his musical taste.
“Yet, he was always quite beautifully wide-eyed about the world and his place in it. It’s such a huge amount of pressure to be put on young shoulders.”
Ben Shephard told ITV viewers that the Argentinian authorities have said they will conduct an autopsy and investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley started This Morning with a tribute to LiamDon’t Miss
Since the news of his death, fans have been gathering outside of the hotel where he died to mourn the star and pay their respects.
There’s also been tributes from many stars including Rylan Clark who wrote on Twitter: “Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young. RIP Liam x”
The Wanted’s Max George also wrote: “Devastated. Liam was an unbelievably supportive during one of the most difficult times in my life. I will never forget that. My thoughts are with his family, friends and fans at this horrendous time. Rest in peace Liam. Max x”
With Piers Morgan commenting: “Good grief.. what a shocking tragedy.”
MIRROR