Liam has a long history with the awards and bosses were keen to honour him

RITA Ora paid tribute to Liam Payne tonight as she hosted MTV’s European Music Awards.

The singer, who was close friends with the One Direction star, left fans in tears as she presented a simple video montage in honour of him.

Rita Ora was in tears as she paid tribute to Liam Payne on stage tonight
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Rita Ora was in tears as she paid tribute to Liam Payne on stage tonightCredit: Getty

The star was incredibly emotional on stage
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The star was incredibly emotional on stageCredit: Getty

Rita and Liam were close friends who worked together
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Rita and Liam were close friends who worked together

Liam tragically lost his life last month
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Liam tragically lost his life last month
During an emotional segment, she said: “I just want to take a moment to remember someone very dear to us.

“We lost him recently.

“And he was a big part of the MTV world and my world.

“And I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight, the pay was one of the kindest people that I knew ways that you talking about honouring him.”

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Breaking down in tears, she continued: “And I think sometimes just simply speaking is enough.

“He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could.

“He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and he left such a mark on this world.

“So let’s just take a moment to remember our friend Liam.”

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The audience, at the northern city’s newly built Co-Op live Arena, erupted into applause as they remembered Liam.

Liam was in the city just weeks ago filming new Netflix talent show Building The Band alongside Kelly Rowland, 43, and Nicole Scherzinger, 46.

The show, which was to be hosted by former Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean, now hangs in the balance as US based bosses decide what to do.

The Sun previously told how producers were keen to honour the late star who dominated the music industry as part of the boy band from 2011 to 2016.

He later used the celeb-packed music ceremony to help launch his solo career.

Liam performed his debut single Strip That Down at the show in 2017.

Rita paid her respects during the special tribute
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Rita paid her respects during the special tributeCredit: PA

Rita has worked with Liam in the past
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Rita has worked with Liam in the pastCredit: Getty

Liam Payne was just 31 when he died
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Liam Payne was just 31 when he diedCredit: Instagram

Fans were moved by Rita's tribute
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Fans were moved by Rita’s tributeCredit: Getty
The single, which was penned by Ed Sheeran, was Liam’s first of 6 UK Top 40s as a solo singer.

One Direction received twelve MTV EMA gongs out of their sixteen nominations.

They won three out of four in 2012, four out of six in 2013 and five out of six in 2014.

Rita and Liam teamed up on the 2018 single For You which featured in the film Fifty Shades Freed, part of the final movie in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.

The track was nominated for Best Music Video at the 2019 Brit Awards.

Liam previously said of his bond with Rita: “Rita is someone I call a true friend and it was an absolute pleasure working with her.”

The last time the EMAs were in the UK was 2017, they were hosted at Wembley Arena with both Liam and Rita in attendance.

Liam performed his debut single Strip That Down while Rita helped host the evening as well as performing a mash up of her hit tracks Your Song and Anywhere.

Liam tragically died in Buenos Aires, Argentina after falling from his third floor hotel balcony.