Liam Payne appears in Netflix’s new talent show Building the Band later this year (
Image: Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal)

One Direction singer Liam Payne will appear posthumously in Netflix’s upcoming talent competition Building the Band, after his tragic death in October last year aged 31

Liam Payne will feature in Netflix’s upcoming talent show Building the Band later this year, marking his first posthumous TV appearance.

The One Direction star passed away in October last year aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Netflix has confirmed that the new series will premiere later in 2025, with Liam joining as a guest judge alongside Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland. Building the Band brings together a number of aspiring pop stars to form a band without meeting one another – and was announced by the streamer last year before Liam’s death.

Liam Payne tragically passed away in October last year ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)
The show appears similar to Love is Blind, with Netflix teasing: “The singers are in complete control as they seek to form their very own bands in individual ‘booths’ without ever seeing each other. All they have to go on is musical compatibility, connection, chemistry and merit.

“What will happen when the bands finally meet, and looks, choreography, and style come into play? With incredible performances, compelling drama, and one big goal — to find the next great music band — the stage is set for an unforgettable experience.”

Netflix had previously delayed the release of the competition, which was filmed just weeks before his death. An insider said at the time: “It is too soon to make a decision, but the show has definitely not been shelved. Filming was completed at the end of summer. Netflix will sit down with Liam’s family when the time is right to speak about the series and when it could be released.

“Everyone involved is devastated and their heart goes out to his family. There is no rush or pressure to release the series. It would simply be a beautiful tribute to Liam and capture him at his best in the months before his death.”

Backstreet Boys singer AJ McClean is the show’s host, while Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger is a mentor and judge. The show has been announced among Netflix’s slate of releases for this year, however an exact release date is yet to be confirmed.

Liam is a guest judge on the show alongside Kelly Rowland, while Nicole Scherzinger is a mentor ( 
Image:
Instagram)
Nicole Scherzinger was a judge on The X Factor when Liam auditioned back in 2010 – and even helped to form One Direction. Building the Band was one of the last projects that Liam filmed before his tragic death. He also recorded on final track with Sam Pounds, titled Do No Wrong.

North Carolina singer Sam Pounds delayed the release of the track, citing that he wanted the One Direction star’s family to “mourn in peace and in prayer”.

Liam died after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. An autopsy ruled that the singer had died instantly after the fall, which caused “multiple traumatic injuries” and subsequently led to “internal and external haemorrhage”.

Earlier this week, it was reported that One Direction would be reuniting at the BRIT Awards to pay tribute to Liam. A source told The Sun : “The tribute to Liam at this year’s awards show has caused a real buzz and speculation that the remaining One Direction bandmates could finally come back together again on stage. It would be an entirely fitting way to honour Liam and talks are already under way about how to make this segment of the BRITs unforgettable.”