Niall Horan Says Liam Payne’s Death Still Feels Unreal Nearly Two Years Later

Nearly two years after a heartbreaking loss changed the lives of millions of fans, memories of One Direction continue to bring both comfort and sadness to those who knew the band best. Now, Niall Horan has opened up about the impact of losing his friend and former bandmate Liam Payne, revealing how the experience continues to shape his personal life and music.

In a recent interview with The Times of London, Niall Horan reflected on the death of Liam Payne, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 31 after a fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina. The singer admitted that accepting the tragedy was not easy, especially because he had seen Liam shortly before the incident.

“I’m glad of that, it means my last memory of him was happy,” Niall shared. “It

still feels surreal. On day one I was, like, ‘Nah, it didn’t happen.’ Our friendship was a bond that was there forever even if we hadn’t seen each other for a while and it’s wild that one day, like the flick of a switch, he’s gone.”

The former One Direction star said the reality of Liam’s absence still feels difficult to comprehend. Despite pursuing separate careers after the group’s hiatus, their friendship remained intact. Niall also revealed that he has stayed in touch with Liam’s family as well as his former bandmates as they continue to support one another through the loss.

While grief remains a part of the journey, Niall said many of his thoughts about Liam are now tied to happy memories from their years together. Looking back, he often finds himself laughing at the countless moments they shared while travelling the world as members of One Direction.

“When I think of Liam’s passing, there is sadness, but it also makes me laugh and smirk because of the memories we had. I’ll go to places and think of something stupid in a hotel or something random that makes me laugh… We always had good fun in Australia because we were able to get out and go to the beach. Liam wasn’t too bad at surfing. I can barely swim.”

Liam’s death sent shockwaves across the global music industry. The singer died in Buenos Aires after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony. According to Argentinian authorities, hotel staff had contacted emergency services after he allegedly began behaving erratically and causing damage inside his room.

An autopsy later concluded that Liam died instantly from severe internal and external injuries sustained in the fall. Toxicology reports found alcohol, cocaine and antidepressants in his system. Investigators ultimately ruled out suicide, stating that he was likely semi-conscious or unconscious and not fully aware of his surroundings when the fall occurred.

As he continues to process the loss, Niall has also channelled his emotions into new music. His upcoming album, Dinner Party, is scheduled for release on June 5, 2026, and includes a song titled End of an Era, which serves as a tribute to Liam.

Speaking about the track, Niall said he believes Liam would have appreciated it because it aligns with the kind of music he enjoyed. He explained that Liam was a fan of Coldplay and particularly loved songs that built emotionally, citing One Direction’s You & I as an example.