Who is Sophia Smith? Liam Payne’s childhood pal turned girlfriend who One Direction star broke up with

SHOCKED fans, erstwhile co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded societal media with bittersweet tributes to Liam Payne aft quality of his decease emerged.

Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the archetypal from One Direction's campy to stock her reaction, posting a photograph of Liam and penning 'Just a boy...' alongside a breached bosom emoji.

Britain's Got Talent justice Amanda Holden shared an representation of the brace unneurotic with the words: "Such an atrocious tragedy.

"Sending emotion to his household and each those who loved him."

X Factor star Olly Murs told fans helium was "devastated" and "lost for words".

He wrote connected societal media: “Liam shared the aforesaid passions arsenic me, the aforesaid dreams truthful to spot his beingness present extremity truthful young hits hard, I’m genuinely gutted and devastated for his Family and of people his lad Bear losing a dada x".

Liam Gallagher said helium was "very sad" and told his followers connected X: "Life is precious Kids, you lone get to bash it once, spell easy."

Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has besides expressed his daze and spoke connected This Morning.

He said: “I retrieve him arsenic a 14 twelvemonth aged turning up to audition connected The X Factor, and blowing america distant singing Sinatra. He conscionable loved to sing.

“He was ever a joy, had clip for everyone, polite, grateful, and was ever humble.”

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the "devastating news" connected her amusement and told fans she hugged her ain lad Woody choky this morning.

JLS set member Marvin Humes reflected connected his memories with the singer, sharing: "I archetypal met Liam successful 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..

"We instantly clicked and looked astatine him arsenic a small brother..that twelvemonth it worked retired for america but not for him and past 2 years aboriginal helium went backmost to audition and One Direction was born..the remainder is history..

"Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to beryllium a planetary superstar and you did it bro..just can’t judge that things person ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with each your household and friends brother..RIP."

Niall Horan's brother Greg shared an affectional tribute to Liam, praising him arsenic a "top young man".

He added: "You volition beryllium everlastingly missed. Liam, words can’t picture however overmuch I privation to drawback my member and caput him present portion the satellite shows their memories of you and him and the boys.

"My bosom goes retired to your household parents and sisters and your lad Bear and your 1D brothers.

"10th October we met and we started retired that evening arsenic 5 families into 1 large 1 1D household convey you for each the laughs bro ticker down connected each your household and caput them tons of emotion kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x"

German DJ Anton Zaslavski, different known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.

The producer, who worked with Liam connected his 2017 deed Get Low, wrote: "RIP Liam… I can’t judge this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…"

American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and besides collaborated with him connected a opus called Bedroom Floor, has posted a bid of Instagram stories dedicated to him.

Alongside photos of the 2 of them unneurotic successful their younger days, Charlie wrote: "I americium successful daze close now. Liam was ever truthful benignant to me.

"He was 1 of the archetypal large artists I got to enactment with. I tin not judge helium is gone...

"I americium truthful upset close now, whitethorn helium remainder successful peace. I americium truthful sorry..."

Irish vocalist duo Jedward also took to societal media, saying: "RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family."

In different tweet, they added: "Sending spot to Cheryl and his lad Bear. And each the One absorption Family. RIP Liam Payne."

American media property Paris Hilton shared: "So upsetting to perceive the quality of Liam Payne passing. Sending emotion and condolences to his household & loved ones. RIP my friend."

ITV upwind presenter Alex Beresford shared a quality video astir Liam's tragic decease connected Instagram, adding: "Can't judge this! RIP Liam."

Meanwhile Love Island prima Molly Marsh penned: "I'm truthful taken aback, remainder successful peace."

James Cordon besides paid his ain tribute, describing the prima arsenic a "loving and benignant soul".

The Gavin and Stacey histrion wrote connected Instagram: "Talking astir Liam successful the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.

"I volition treasure the moments I got to walk with him. My thoughts are with his household contiguous x."

Payne antecedently appeared connected Cordon's The Late Late Show successful America.

Former Little Mix prima Jade Thirwall - who won X Factor with her bandmates 1 twelvemonth aft One Direction took portion - described him arsenic "the archetypal person I made successful this industry".

She said: "We fell retired of interaction arsenic the years went by, but backmost successful 2008 helium was the archetypal person I made successful this industry.

"Both of america truthful young, truthful ambitious, some hoping we'd 'make it'. I anticipation you are astatine bid now".

Camila Cabello described his decease arsenic a "tragedy" and said helium "made an impression" connected her erstwhile she was a young girl.