Liam Payne and Niall Horan crossed paths just before the “Strip That Down” singer’s death on October 16, 2024 — proving that their friendship was strong even after One Direction split.
The singers made their One Direction debut alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik when the band was formed on The X Factor in 2010. After four albums as a fivesome, Malik announced his departure from the group in March 2015. The remaining members released one more record before going on an indefinite hiatus starting in December 2015.
While they all went on to have solo careers following the split, the boys still showed each other support over the years, proving that nothing could break the One Direction bond.
“We always try and support each other where we can,” Niall told Esquire in April 2023 of the One Direction boys. “We’re all texting each other individually, if anyone’s got a song coming out or a thing, even outside of work, we know we have each other.”
Inside Liam Payne’s Bond With His Former One Direction Members
Keep scrolling to look back at Payne and Horan’s friendship:
July 2010
Horan and Payne became friends when One Direction was formed on The X Factor.
December 2013
Payne and Horan hung out without other One Direction members, attending a New York Knicks game while in New York City.
July 2015
While on stage during One Direction’s On the Road Again Tour, Payne showed off his love for Horan as they performed together.
June 2017
The two shared a backstage moment at the ZPL Birthday Bash in Indianapolis.
December 2017
February 2018
Both Payne and Horan attended the same Universal Music BRIT Awards Afterparty and snapped a series of sweet photos together. (Payne’s ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole was there, as well.)
November 2019
In celebration of their management company, Modest!, Horan and Payne teamed up with Olly Murs for a parody of The Office.
Liam Payne Through the Years: The One Direction Alum’s Life in Photos
May 2021
Payne tagged Horan in an Instagram Story referencing his golf game.
“You better watch yourself,” Payne wrote, and Horan was quick to share the photo.
October 2024
While Horan was on tour in Argentina, Payne attended his former bandmate’s concert. Ahead of the show, Payne shared a video about reuniting with Horan.
“I think we might just go and say hello,” the singer told Snapchat followers. “It’s been a while since me and Niall have spoken. We’ve got a lot to talk about. And I would like to square up a couple of things with the boy. No bad vibes or anything like that. But just, we need to talk.”
Two weeks after their concert reunion, Payne died at age 31.
“I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious,” Horan wrote in a lengthy Instagram tribute shared on October 18. “He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure. All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”
The Irish singer added, “I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking. My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and, of course, his son, Bear. Thank you for everything, Payno. Love you brother, Nialler.”
One Direction Members Attend Liam Payne’s Funeral
March 2026
Horan revealed that “End of an Era,” the closing song on his fourth album, Dinner Party, is a tribute to Payne. “We had it / Pure magic / Remember what it was like / Time passes / So fast and / I couldn’t tell you goodbye,” the lyrics read, per GQ Hype.
When asked what he remembers most about Payne, Horan recalled sharing a room with him during the boot camp portion of The X Factor.
“I just got to know him a little bit and then we ended up doing what we did together,” he said. “Memories that only he and I can share ’cause you have a team and you have people around all the time, but we always said that only us have that experience, no one else has that.”
He also opened up about seeing Payne shortly before his death, saying, “It was great. [Liam] seemed in good form and we had a good laugh, good reminisce. … I heard Louis talking about this recently, it’s so true. It’s like you haven’t seen each other in ages and then you just fall back in like it was 10 years ago.”
