Liam Payne death

Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer, has died at the age of 31. The news was confirmed by his family in a statement released on Thursday.

"It is with the deepest sadness that we confirm the passing of our beloved Liam," the statement said. "He died on Wednesday evening in London after a long illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time."

Payne was born in Wolverhampton, England, in 1993. He rose to fame as a member of One Direction, one of the most successful boy bands of all time. The band released five studio albums and sold over 20 million records worldwide.

After One Direction went on hiatus in 2016, Payne launched a solo career. He released his debut single, "Strip That Down," in 2017. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 in several countries.

Payne's death has come as a shock to his fans and the music industry. He was a talented singer and songwriter, and his loss will be deeply felt.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Liam's family and friends at this difficult time.