Friends are still paying tribute, including Justin Bieber

SCOTT Mills shared a touching moment on his BBC Radio 2 show today, revealing heartfelt messages exchanged with Liam Payne’s father, Geoff, in the wake of his death.

Scott has told how Geoff reached out to him while he was in Argentina, thanking him and the show’s listeners for their beautiful tribute to Liam the previous week.

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Scott Mills has updated BBC Radio 2 listeners after sending Liam Payne’s family their condolences

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Geoff Payne, father of pop star Liam, responded to Scott and the Radio 2 listenersCredit: Getty

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Scott broke down in tears last week when he paid an emotional tribute to LiamCredit: Getty
Geoff even shared the tribute in the family’s WhatsApp group, expressing how moved they were by the support and kind messages left by fans on the Radio 2 Instagram page.

Scott said how much it meant to Geoff and the family during this difficult time, adding: “For him to reach out and say thank you like that…

“Shows you what I’ve known all along, what a kind family they are.”

Scott reached out to Geoff after the devastating news Liam had died in Buenos Aires.

The radio DJ said: “He won’t mind me saying this, I was texting Geoff, Liams dad the other day when he was in Argentina.

“And he said he has posted our tribute we did to Liam last week to the family WhatsApp group.

“And he thought it was wonderful, especially all of the messages and comments you put underneath the video on the Radio 2 instagram.

“And he just wanted me to thankyou all for all the beautiful heartfelt messages that you have put on there. He’s read all of them.

“And for him to reach out and say thankyou like that during such a difficult time where him and all of liams close ones will be hurting so much just shows you what I’ve known all along.

“What a kind family they are.”
Watch heartbreaking moment Liam Payne’s pal Scott Mills breaks down live on radio
Mills ended by sending his love to Geoff, Liam, and all their loved ones, assuring them that everyone is still thinking of them during this painful time.

He continued: “So, sending you all our love Geoff to you and the rest of the family.

“And to all his friends. We’re all still thinking of you.”

Former One Direction star Liam died after falling 45ft from his hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires at 5.04pm on Wednesday.

Liam’s father Geoff is currently in the Argentinian capital organising plans to repatriate his son’s body.

Investigators in Liam’s tragic death believe the star was “preyed upon” by hotel staff who supplied him drugs.

Geoff thanked fans who had gathered outside the hotel for their kind words and viewed tributes that had been left to the star.

The family are now working to bring Liam’s body home once a post-mortem is complete.

Liam’s autopsy revealed the star suffered severe injuries that led to “internal and external haemorrhaging” when he fell.

His good friend of many years, Scott, last week broke down in tears as he poured his heart out about singer’s untimely death, and said he “can’t bear that this is where Liam’s story has ended”.

Speaking on his afternoon Radio 2 show, the DJ said: “The tragic news about Liam Payne is a really hard one to take in because I never thought we would have to say goodbye to him so soon.

“I had so much fun with One Direction, as a lot of you will know, over the years and their memories will stay with me for life, and Liam was such a big part of it.”

The presenter held back tears as he gave a special message to Liam’s dad, saying: “So, Geoff, I don’t know if you’re hearing this, but my heart goes out to you today and to the rest of Liam’s family, and, of course, to his little boy.”

He added: ‘I just feel so incredibly sad about all of this.

“Liam, we had so much fun and you were always the kindest, most caring person to me.

“Thank you for letting me be part of your ride. I will never forget it.

“The band were all so lovely always, but Liam was kind of the grown-up one in the group, the wise one.

“And I can’t bear that this is where Liam’s story has ended.”

The BBC Radio host then dedicated Story Of My Life by One Direction to Liam, his family and his fans.

It comes as Liam’s family issued a statement, which read: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

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Liam Payne tragically passed away in Argentina on Wednesday, October 16Credit: Getty