The 45th iteration of the Brit Awards featured an emotional tribute to One Direction‘s Liam Payne, the late chart-topping Brits winner that died at age 31 in October.
Towards the end of the ceremony on Saturday night, host Jack Whitehall told the crowd it was time to honor “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.”
“Last October, we woke to the devastating news that Liam Payne had tragically passed away,” Whitehall continued. “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, look back and remember the remarkable Liam Payne.”
A video montage then played, including footage of Payne on tour with One Direction and with his family, soundtracked to One Direction’s “Little Things.”
Whitehall, a friend of Payne’s, teased a tribute to the late “What Makes You Beautiful Singer” on the Australian radio show, “Fifi, Fev and Nick,” saying “[Liam] was a big part of [The Brit Awards]… when I was at the Brits, he was always so game and up for it. And we had a really fun time with him there, when he was there with Cheryl [Cole].”
As a member of One Direction, Payne won seven Brit Awards, including four wins in the British video of the year category. Outside of his work with One Direction, Payne was nominated by the Brit Awards for his “Strip That Down” with American rapper Quavo, and “For You” with Rita Ora.
Payne was also honored by the music community at the Grammy Awards earlier this year with a celebration of life during the In Memoriam segment as Coldplay’s Chris Martin sang “All My Love.” Payne died on Oct. 16 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. His toxicology results revealed alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressants were in his system at the time of his death. Ezequiel Pereyra and Braian Paiz — the two men accused of selling Payne drugs — remain behind bars as they await trial, per a Feb. 19 report from Rolling Stone.
On his death, his former bandmates wrote in a joint statement, “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing.”
They continued, “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
Watch the full tribute below.
