Liam Payne Remembered in Emotional Tribute at 2025 BRIT Awards

Amidst the joy and celebration at the 2025 BRIT Awards was a poignant moment of remembrance for One Direction’s Liam Payne, who tragically passed away in October.

Jack Whitehall, host of this year’s awards show, introduced the tribute to Payne on stage at The O2 Arena on Saturday (March 1).

“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,” Whitehall began. “Last October, we woke to the devastating news that Liam Payne had tragically passed away. 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.”

A sweet montage was shown made up of video clips, sound-bites and photos of Payne, led by the singer performing One Direction’s “Little Things.” The tribute ended with a smiling portrait of the pop star, who was born on Aug. 29, 1993 and died on Oct. 16, 2024.

One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson reacted to the tribute on X, where he wrote, “Thank you @BRITs. Beautiful tribute. Miss you always brother.”

Payne died from a 40-foot fall off a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Oct. 16. It was reported the singer’s blood alcohol level was at a dangerously high level, and that he had drugs including cocaine and prescription antidepressents in his system, at the time of the his passing. A court in Argentina recently dropped charges of criminal negligence against three of the five people indicted in connection with Payne’s death. Two defendants charged with supplying narcotics to Payne remain in custody, according a February report from The Associated Press.

Payne was laid to rest in November in the U.K., with his funeral attended by his One Direction bandmates, girlfriend Katie Cassidy and ex-partner Cheryl Cole, with whom he shared a son.

Watch the BRITs’ tribute to Liam Payne below.