"Genuine and beautiful tribute": Fans react as Liam Payne receives emotional tribute at BRIT Awards 2025

Liam Payne was remembered at the 2025 Brit Awards held at The O2 Arena in London on March 1, 2025.

Jack Whitehall, the host of the award show announced,

“It is now time to take a moment to remember a very special person who meant so much to so many of the people in this room, and to millions of you around the world.” In his heartfelt tribute, Whitehall recalled,

“He achieved so much in the short time that he was on this earth, and was not only a supremely gifted musician but an incredibly kind soul who touched the lives of everyone he came into contact with. We have so many amazing memories of Liam here at the BRITs, so tonight we celebrate his legacy and look back and remember the remarkable Liam Payne.”

The ceremony featured a heartfelt video montage to honor the late One Direction member. The video left the audience and many viewers, including his fans, in tears. It showcased his childhood and family photos including his rise to stardom.

The former One Direction singer’s fans reacted in huge numbers on social media in response to the tribute.

“thank you for this genuine and beautiful tribute.” A fan reacted.

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How did Liam Payne’s fans react to the tribute offered to him at the Brit Awards 2025?

Fans of Liam Payne were overwhelmed when the Brit Awards paid a tribute to the late vocalist during the event on March 1, 2025. They expressed their gratitude to the awards show and also poured their hearts out for the singer on social media. One of the tributes featured his friend, Louis Tomlinson.

“Thank you @BRITs.Beautiful tribute. Miss you always brother x” He wrote on X.

“Beautiful tribute to our lovely Liam” Another fan said.

“RIP Liam Payne. Thanks, #BRITs, for the tribute; you all killed this award show too.” A user reacted thanking the Brit awards.

“The Brits Award Tribute for Liam Payne. It's so hard to watch. You should be here to see all the love we have for you Liam, Rest in Paradise. We love you so much.” Someone else commented.

“Thank you for this beautiful tribute. Still sobbing.. Liam Payne forever!” Another chimed in.

“I wish the boys in 1d would've said something special about him.. He's been with them for 5 years... They were so close.” A disappointed fan said.

According to a report on BBC, Payne passed away on October 16, 2025, after falling from a hotel balcony in the capital, Buenos Aires. His cause of death as confirmed by multiple outlets including NBC News was due to “polytrauma and internal and external bleeding.”

His funeral was held in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England on November 20, 2024. Payne’s closest family and friends attended the ceremony. As reported by BBC at that time, the attendees featured his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and former bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.