Rita Ora breaks down in tears at MTV EMAs as she honors friend Liam Payne following his death

Rita Ora broke down in tears while hosting the MTV EMAs on Sunday as she remembered the late Liam Payne.

The artist hosted the annual event at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, UK, in what was a celebration of all things music.

Many famous faces took to the red carpet for the MTV EMAs, with Ora paying tribute to her friend Payne during proceedings.

The former One Direction star died last month at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur hotel in Buenos Aires.

Liam Payne died last month after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur hotel in Buenos Aires (Marc Piasecki/GC Images)

A toxicology report found Payne had multiple drugs in his system before his death.

Payne had been in Argentina for the concert of former bandmate Niall Horan, who played in the South American capital in early October.

Ora had an emotional moment at Sunday's awards as she paid tribute to Payne.

'I just want to take a moment to remember someone very, very dear to us," the British singer began. "We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight.

"Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew."

As the audience in Manchester launched into cheers and applause, Ora added through her tears: "There were so many ways that we were talking about honouring him and I think sometimes simply speaking is enough.

"He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could. He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and he left such a mark on this world.

"So, let’s just take a moment to remember our friend, Liam."

Following the emotional speech, black-and-white photos of Payne were shown on screens across the venue, as One Direction's 'Night Changes' played in the background.

Rita Ora had an emotional moment as she paid tribute to Liam Payne (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Viacom International)

Last week, the public prosecutor's office stated that one person had been charged with abandonment of a person followed by death and the supply and facilitation of drugs.

PA also reported that a further two people had been charged in connection with Payne's death.

Prosecutors stated 'exhaustive and meticulous measures were taken to clarify the circumstances' around Payne's death.

They said: "Based on the evidence gathered and after analyzing the various bodies of proceedings and numerous documentary annexes and the background of the case, prosecutor Andres Esteban Madrea formally charged three people, requesting their questioning and arrest in a 180-page ruling presented last Friday to Judge Bruniard."