Singer Zayn Malik paid tribute on stage to Liam Payne in Wolverhampton, the hometown of his former One Direction bandmate. According to social media videos, Malik, who is currently on tour, expressed a wish that the late star could witness his performance. Payne died at the age of 31 in October in Argentina, following a fall from the third-floor balcony of a hotel. Malik informed the audience at the University of Wolverhampton at The Halls: “I’ve been doing something, at the end of the show, every night, and it’s been dedicated to my brother Liam Payne. Rest in peace.” The singer commenced his “Stairway to the Sky” tour in Leeds last Saturday, where an onscreen message displayed: “Love you bro”. However, he had not previously spoken directly about Payne while on stage. Malik departed from One Direction in 2015, one year before the group began an indefinite hiatus. Following Payne’s death, Malik stated that he “never got to thank” him for providing support during some of the “most difficult” periods of his life. He further added in a statement shared on Instagram: “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”. The singer rescheduled his initial opening dates in Edinburgh due to Payne’s funeral, which was also attended by fellow One Direction members Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan. Malik had previously postponed the US portion of his tour last month. Argentinian prosecutors have initiated an investigation into Payne’s death, and three individuals have been charged in connection with the incident. A post-mortem examination concluded that Payne died on October 16 from multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage” after falling from the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Post navigation North West set to host diverse bonfire and firework events Barry Keoghan Emphasizes His Background as Inspiration, Not a “Pity Story”