Breaking: One Direction Member Arrested in Connection with Gruesome Murder of Liam Payne

One Direction Singer Arrested in Connection of Liam Payne’s Brutal Murdered

British singer James Arthur has opened up about the unexpected support he received from the late Liam Payne during one of the most challenging periods of his life. In an emotional appearance on ITV’s Lorraine, the former X Factor winner reflected on the early days of his fame and a heartfelt gesture from the One Direction star that has stayed with him to this day.

Arthur, who shot to stardom after winning The X Factor in 2012, admitted he found the spotlight overwhelming and struggled to adjust to the pressures of fame. Speaking candidly on the daytime show, he shared how Payne reached out to him during this turbulent time, despite the two not being particularly close.

“By no means were me and Liam sort of best mates or anything like that,” Arthur said. “But I think he saw I was struggling and wanted to help.”

Payne, who found global fame as part of One Direction after finishing third in the 2010 series of The X Factor, tragically passed away in October 2024 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. He was just 31 years old. His sudden death sent shockwaves through the music world and left fans and fellow artists mourning the loss of a talented and compassionate young man.

Arthur recalled how, at the height of One Direction’s fame, Payne took the time to reach out through a mutual friend to arrange a one-on-one conversation. “He went out of his way to say, ‘I went through this too,’” Arthur shared. “That’s the kind of person he was. He didn’t have to do that, but he did.”

Though their interactions were limited, Arthur remembered Payne as someone who consistently showed care and concern for his wellbeing whenever their paths crossed. “Any time I encountered Liam, he was concerned about my wellbeing,” he said. “So it was a shame to see, you know, what happened.”

Before his death, Payne had been open about his personal struggles, including a battle with addiction and his journey toward sobriety. He revealed that the pressures of life in One Direction, including long stretches of time spent in hotel rooms with easy access to alcohol, contributed to his issues. He often spoke about the toll fame had taken on his mental health.

James Arthur, too, has publicly discussed his experiences with anxiety and addiction. Over the years, he has used his music as an outlet, delving into deeply personal themes. On Lorraine, he spoke about how his albums have become increasingly vulnerable and authentic, reflecting his growth both as an artist and as a person.

“I think as I’ve matured, my records have gotten more and more personal,” Arthur said while promoting his new album and upcoming tour. “It’s important for me to be honest in my music.”

Payne’s passing led to an outpouring of tributes from fans and artists alike. At the Brit Awards in March, he was honoured with a video montage celebrating his life and career, featuring emotional moments with his family and clips from his time on The X Factor and One Direction, who won seven Brit Awards before going on hiatus.

After One Direction, Payne embarked on a solo career and released his debut album LP1 in December 2019. The album featured chart-topping tracks such as Polaroid, Strip That Down featuring Quavo, and For You, a duet with Rita Ora from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack.

Meanwhile, legal proceedings in Argentina surrounding his death have largely concluded. In February 2025, a court dropped charges of criminal negligence against three of the five individuals initially accused in connection to the tragedy.

For Arthur, Payne’s memory remains as someone who offered quiet kindness in a chaotic world. “I didn’t know him really well,” he said, “but I’ll never forget how kind he was.”