Louis Tomlinson “could never” perform with One Direction again after the death of Liam Payne.
One Direction star Liam tragically died on 16 October after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31.
Following his death, it was rumoured that the remaining band members – Louis, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik – would reunite to perform a tribute to Liam at the BRIT Awards on 1 March, but this never materialised.
In response to the speculation, Louis’ PR manager has insisted that the singer will not be reuniting with his former bandmates on stage.
“The Sun has been running a story that the boys are going to reunite at the Brits for Liam. Louis just despairs. He could never get up there and sing as part of the band after what has happened,” the PR manager told the Standard before their interview with Louis on 28 February. The interview was published this week.
While the former boyband didn’t perform at the ceremony, Liam was honoured with a moving two-minute video montage to One Direction’s hit ballad Little Things.
Host Jack Whitehall also paid tribute to the late singer, describing him as a “supremely gifted musician but an incredibly kind soul who touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with”.
Shortly after Liam’s death, Louis took to Instagram to remember the For You singer.
“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother,” he shared. “Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.”
He also called Liam “the most vital part of One Direction” and revealed they “got even closer” after the group disbanded in 2016.
