Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates have paid tribute to him on social media after his tragic death. “His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honor to be alongside him as he did it,” Harry Styles wrote. “The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.”  

Niall Horan wrote  “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.” 

Louis Tomlinson called Payne “my boy, one of my best friends, my brother. ”In a tribute on social media Louis wrote that he is “beyond devastated” to have lost his bandmate, who “was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody.” He continued, “Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.”

Zayn Malik wrote on social media that he has found himself talking out loud to his late friend, “hoping you can hear me” and that “I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.” He finished his tribute by writing, “I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to 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.”