The X Factor pays tribute to ‘talented’ One Direction star Liam Payne after death aged 31

The X Factor has issued a statement following Liam Payne's untimely death at the age of 31.

The 'Get Low' hitmaker died yesterday (October 16) after falling off a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He is survived by his seven-year-old son Bear, whom he shared with ex partner Cheryl Tweedy (née Cole).

Payne first auditioned for the show in 2008 at the age of 14.

He returned two years later when he was placed in a band, which they named One Direction, alongside fellow music-hopefuls Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.

Following Payne's passing, the official The X Factor Twitter account has issued a statement.

It reads: "We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne.

"He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.

"Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him."

Music fans have since said that The X Factor's tribute has made Payne's death 'even more real'.

"This makes it even more real," one person replied to the Twitter post.

Others paid tribute to the star. Someone wrote: "It’s hard to process such a loss. He touched so many lives with his music."

"Heartbreaking loss of a true talent. Liam's legacy will live on," added another.

The Argentinian authorities said that Payne wasn't able to be saved when the emergency services arrived at his hotel.

Emergency medical services director Alberto Crescenti said on on Argentina's Todo Noticias TV channel: "At 17.04 through the 911 integrated public safety system, we were alerted of a person who was in an internal courtyard of the management of a south house hotel.

"Unfortunately, he had injuries that were incompatible with life, as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death, there was no possibility of resuscitation."

In the hours leading up to his death, Payne had posted to his Snapchat Story.

In the video titled 'Lovely Day in Argentina', Payne said: "Today, we ride. We're going to ride some horses.

"Think I'm going to play polo again, which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks."

He continued: "It's so hard to do, number one, my back and my neck from swinging that hammer around... or mallet, I think it's called if you're in the know. It hurts a lot, it's very tough to do."

It's suggested that the video wasn't filmed yesterday, however, as the clip featured Payne's girlfriend, who has already returned to the US following their vacation.