Girls Aloud singer Cheryl has described the death of her former partner Liam Payne as an "earth-shattering event" in a post on Instagram.
The former One Direction singer died on Wednesday after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina.
Cheryl, who was in a high-profile relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018, said in a statement on Instagram that their son Bear has to "face the reality of never seeing his father again".
"As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being," the 41-year-old said, sharing a black and white picture of Payne in bed with his son.
"Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again."
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She continued: "What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.
"I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.
"Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.
"Thank you."
Her statement comes after Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy said "nothing about the past few days have felt real" after his death at the age of 31.
Her tribute came moments after music mogul Simon Cowell said he is "truly devastated" after the death of the singer, in a statement posted on Instagram.
Payne found fame alongside Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles when The X Factor creator Cowell put them together to form One Direction on the ITV talent show in 2010.
"You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens," he wrote.
"Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty.
"And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you."
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Payne’s One Direction bandmembers paid emotional tributes to him while a joint statement from the band said they were "completely devastated" and will miss the singer "terribly", adding the "memories we shared with him will be treasured forever".
The singer’s family said they were "heartbroken" following his death, adding: "Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul."
The singer died of multiple traumas and "internal and external haemorrhage", a post-mortem examination report said.
Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No 16 said it was investigating the incident as an "inconclusive death" following the report.
Source: Press Association
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