Louis Tomlinson ‘could never’ perform as One Direction again after the death of his beloved bandmate Liam Payne.
Payne died aged 31 on October 16 after falling from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony, leaving his former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis heartbroken.
While it was rumoured the four remaining members of One Direction could be reuniting on stage at the Brit Awards earlier this month to pay tribute to Payne, no such reunion transpired.
Now 33-year-old Louis’ PR manager has told The Evening Standard, as part of an interview with the singer, that Louis could ‘never’ sing as part of the band after Payne’s death.
‘The Sun has been running a story that the boys are going to reunite at the Brits for Liam,’ the PR manager told the publication ahead of the Brits.
‘Louis just despairs. He could never get up there and sing as part of the band after what has happened.’
While the What Makes You Beautiful hitmakers didn’t reunite on stage at the Brits, the awards show paid a lengthy tribute to the late star via a video montage of his life.
When news came of Payne’s death, Louis said he was ‘beyond devastated’ at the loss of his ‘brother’.
‘I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother,’ he began on social media.
‘Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.’
Louis reflected on first meeting a 16-year-old Payne when he was 18.
‘I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for,’ he said.
‘Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.
‘And for the record, 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.’
Louis then wrote a message directed at Payne.
‘I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,’ he said.
‘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.
‘I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.
‘I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
‘I wish I got 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.’
Payne left behind his seven-year-old son Bear, who he welcomed with Girls Aloud star Cheryl.
At his funeral, all four One Direction former members turned up to say goodbye in what was a heartbreaking scene.
Around the world vigils were held in Payne’s memory, with fans taking to social media to express their devastation.
Following his death, Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy said the singer had died before realising his dream of reuniting with his One Direction brothers.
Kate explained to The Sun in her first chat since his death: ‘Liam loved One Direction. It was such a huge part of his life and career.
‘Who didn’t love them? I think everybody had hopes for a reunion at some point.
‘Liam would have been more than happy in the future to do that. He was so proud of the boys. He loved them so much he looked at them as brothers.’
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