British pop star Robbie Williams, who mentored One Direction on talent show The X Factor, has paid tribute to Liam Payne, who died on Wednesday, October 16.
The Angels singer, who was a member of huge British 1990s boy band Take That before quitting to go solo while suffering from addiction problems, took to Instagram to share an email exchange with Payne two years ago, alongside a moving caption about the singer’s tragic death.
“How to make sense of the Liam Payne tragedy?” the star, 50, wrote. “Obviously, my first feelings towards his passing were like everyone else. Shock, sadness and confusion. And to be honest as I write these words that’s where I still am. I met the boys on The X Factor and ‘’mentored’’ them. I use the word mentored in inverted brackets cos I hardly did anything to be honest. I just hung out with them. They were all cheeky and lovely. I enjoyed the light hearted piss takery and thought about all the times I was that cheeky pisstaker with the Popstars that had gone before me when I was in Take That. Our paths have crossed ever since that day and I’m fond of them all. Liam’s trials and tribulations were very similar to mine, so it made sense to reach out and offer what I could. So I did.”
In the emails Williams shared, he appeared to be wishing Payne luck in his career. “F— yeah … go get it … very proud of you,” he wrote in response to an email from Payne saying, “Thanks man that means the world. I’m nervous as hell about it but I won’t back out you have my word. Wish me luck”.
In the lengthy Instagram post shared on Friday, October 18, Williams went on to tell some of his own story. “I still had my demons at 31,” he wrote. “I relapsed. I was in pain. I was in pain because I relapsed. I relapsed because of a multitude of painful reasons. I remember Heath Ledger passing and thinking ‘’I’m next.’. By the grace of god and/or dumb luck I’m still here.”
What Did Liam Payne Say About His Struggles With Drugs and Alcohol?
In all caps, he went on to remind followers that celebrities are people too, writing, “SKIN AND BONE AND IMMENSELY SENSITIVE” and “Even famous strangers need your compassion” before signing off with a touching tribute to Payne: “What a Handsome Talented boy. What a tragic painful loss for his friends, family, fans and by the looks of the energy this moment has created – The World. Be Kind.”
Williams has spoken candidly in the past about his problems with depression and severe anxiety along with addictions to cocaine, alcohol and ecstasy. In 2023, he released a four-part Netflix documentary about his struggles, simply entitled Robbie Williams.
With the support of celebrities including Sir Elton John, Williams recovered from his issues and married American actress Ayda Field, 45. The couple live in Los Angeles and share four children.
