One Direction, ‘The X Factor’ React To “Brother” Liam Payne’s Death: “Completely Devastated”

One Direction and The X Factor are mourning the death of Liam Payne .

After Payne died on Wednesday, members of the beloved former pop boy band and the UK competition show where they got their start reacted to Payne's death with heartfelt tributes.

"We're completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing. 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," One Direction wrote in a group statement .

"The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever," the group continued. "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. Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry."

Friend and 1D mate Louis Tomlinson shared his own statement with a throwback photo of the two of them. "I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul," he stated in the caption .

"I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I'd longed all my life for. Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.

"And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam," added Tomlinson.

He also included a message for Payne "if you're listening," writing, "I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I'm really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I'm so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I'd have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn't to be.

"I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was," added Tomlinson. "I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X."

Zayn Malik shared a photo of him and Payne from the group's early days. "Love You Bro," he captioned the post , which also included a statement.

"Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives," he started. "I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved."

Malik continued, "Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f—s about telling people when they were wrong. Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it. When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional. I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.

"I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro," he added.

Former The X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary shared a throwback photo of himself and Payne on the show when he first auditioned in 2008. "The worst news. I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing. He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. Sending love and prayers to his family. Dx," wrote O'Leary on Instagram.

Meanwhile, The X Factor creator and former 1D manager Simon Cowell has postponed auditions for Britain's Got Talent due to "the tragic passing of Liam Payne," adding: "We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

Payne died at age 31 on Wednesday when he fell from the third-floor balcony of his Buenos Aires, Argentina hotel room. La Nación reported that Hotel Casa Sur staff called police before the incident to report "an aggressive man that could've been under the influence of drugs or alcohol."

Born Aug. 29, 1993 in Wolverhampton, England, Payne first auditioned for The X Factor at age 14 in 2008, singing Frank Sinatra's 'Fly Me to the Moon'. Although he was cut, Cowell encouraged him to come back two years later.

In 2010, Payne returned to the competition series and was grouped with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik to form One Direction. Following their time on the show, the group was signed to Simon Cowell 's Syco Entertainment .

From 2010 to 2016, the group released five albums and became a global sensation, winning seven Brit Awards and selling more than 70 million albums worldwide.