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Zayn Malik pays tribute in Liam Payne's hometown

Getty Images A singer on stage, with a bassist to his right. He is wearing jeans, a black printed t-shirt and cap. Tattoos can be seen on his bare arms and the stage is lit with purple and yellow lights.Getty Images
Malik is paying tribute to former bandmate Liam Payne every night on stage during his tour

Singer Zayn Malik has paid tribute on stage to Liam Payne in his former One Direction bandmate's hometown of Wolverhampton.

According to videos on social media Malik, who is on tour, said he hoped the late star could see his gig.

Payne died aged 31 in Argentina in October after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel.

Malik told the University of Wolverhampton at The Halls audience: "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 kicked off his Stairway to the Sky tour in Leeds last Saturday with an onscreen message reading: "Love you bro".

However, he has not spoken directly about Payne while on stage.

Getty Images A man in a blue checked shirt, holding his hand up in a wave. He has brown hair cut in a shaved style and beard. He is in the street, with a stop sigh, trees and a white building just visible behind, as well as a man and a woman who are out of focus. Getty Images
Three people have been charged in connection with Payne's death in Argentina last month

Malik left One Direction in 2015, a year before the group went on indefinite hiatus.

Following Payne's death, Malik said he "never got to thank" him for supporting him through some of the "most difficult" times in his life.

"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", he added in a statement shared on Instagram.

Getty Images A blue screen with the words Liam Payne, 1993-2024, Love you bro, written in white. A pink heart is underneath and a reflection of stage lights on the surface.Getty Images
A written tribute to Liam Payne appeared onscreen during Malik's performance at O2 Academy in Leeds on 23 November

The singer rescheduled his original opening dates in Edinburgh due to Payne's funeral, also attended by One Director stars Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan.

Malek previously postponed the US leg of his tour last month.

Argentinian prosecutors have started an investigation into Payne's death and three people been charged in connection with the incident.

A post-mortem examination stated Payne died on 16 October of multiple traumas and "internal and external haemorrhage" after falling from the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.

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