Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has opened up about the tragic loss of the One Direction star, who died after falling off a balcony last October

Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy broke down in tears as she shared the hardest part of grief in an emotional first TV interview since his death.

The One Direction star died after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires last October, just days after Kate headed back to the United States. Now, she has opened up about her grief and the singer’s struggles for the first time.

Speaking on Lorraine today for their March4March campaign about mental health, she said: “It’s still so special, I see it so often and it’s going to be something that’s going to be involved in my life forever. Every time I see the number four, I know he’s there with me.”

Kate spoke on Lorraine today
“I never thought I’d ever be in a position being with Liam in general but he’s guided me so much, he’s taught me to have thick skin and that people are going to say different things, and people are going to have different opinions, and to not let anybody’s opinion get to me as he never let it get to him.”

Kate broke down in tears as she admitted it was a struggle to refer to him in the past tense. She said through tears: “I find myself talking about him so much in the present tense and it’s something where I don’t even feel the need to correct myself because that’s part of my healing journey. I’m still working on accepting the fact that he’s not here anymore so it’s hard for me to refer to him in the past tense. When I do refer to him in the past tense, it almost stings that little bit more, because it’s more official. I never thought that I’d be talking about him in the past tense so it’s definitely really hard to accept.”

Liam Payne and Kate Cassidy had planned to marry before his death ( 
Image:
katecass/Instagram)
Kate also referenced her special necklace, a pair of angel wings, which she said made her “feel closer” to Liam. She wore the necklace for her interview with Lorraine and held it as the host quizzed her on the necklace.

As host Lorraine pointed out the piece of jewellery, she said: “I actually saw it in a little gift shop a couple of weeks ago and I felt like it spoke to me and it matches my angel wings tattoos. I wear it quite often and once again it makes me feel that bit closer to Liam.”

During the chat, Kate explained how she resonated with the campaign March4March because of the number four within it. She said: “It’s called March4March, and the first thing that I was obviously drawn to was the number four.

“For people that aren’t familiar with the number four, it’s mine and Liam’s angel number which symbolises support and guidance from your angels, and I genuinely believe that Liam guided me to this campaign and wanted me to be involved in this to help other people. It’s something that he wanted me to do.”

March4March is a new campaign by ITV show Lorraine to encourage others to open up about their own mental health. Celebrities alike will share their own mental health journeys whilst walking and talking and the importance of everyone doing the same. 1 in 4 Brits suffer with low mood, with research saying exercise and movement helps with better mental health.

Just the other day, Liam’s family issued a statement after an Argentina court dropped charges of criminal negligence against three out of the five people who had been charged in connection with his death.

“Liam’s death was an unspeakable tragedy. This is a time of tremendous grief and pain for those who knew and loved him … We understand that the investigation into Liam’s death was absolutely necessary and the family recognises the work done by the Argentinian authorities. However, the family accepts the Court of Appeal’s decision to drop all charges,” they shared.

Lorraine spoke to Kate for her March4March campaign ( 
Image:
ITV)
“The constant media attention and speculation which has accompanied the process has exacted indescribable, lasting damage on the family, particularly on Liam’s son, who is trying to process emotions which no seven-year-old should have to experience. The family has always wished for privacy to grieve and asks that they be given the space and time to do so.”

A recent tribute at the BRIT Awards had fans in tears as Liam was remembered firstly by host Jack Whitehall, before a video tribute to the star played and he was remembered in a special montage of clips about his music successes.

Liam’s girlfriend Kate has been open about her grief over the past few months, sharing sweet pictures of her relationship with the singer. She had previously revealed their plan to get engaged and get married before his death.

Liam found fame as part of One Direction ( 
Image:
Anthony Harvey, Getty Images)
Sharing an old snap of them at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, alongside a picture of her there alone, she wrote: “I thought this place would feel empty without you, but instead, it’s filled with the warmth of this moment we shared.”

The most recent toxicology reports revealed a string of sad details about Liam’s death. The new reports stated that Liam was three times the US legal driving limit at the time of his death – which would have left him severely impaired.