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Roger Nores’ decision to sue Liam Payne’s parents shows him for what he really is – star’s dad has been through enough
I hope Roger rethinks his ill thought out action
LITTLE more than three months ago Liam Payne's death sent shockwaves around the world.
The One Direction singer was just 31-years-old when he tragically fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
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Since then there has barely been 24-hours his name has been out of global headlines.
But on Thursday a new twist, and perhaps the most shocking of all, in the very sorry tale has come to light.
Liam's friend and make-shift manager Roger Nores took the decision to sue Liam's dad Geoff to the tune of $10 million - £8.1 million.
I've reported on Liam and his career for over a decade now - covering the highs and lows and everything in between.
READ MORE ON LIAM PAYNE
Just a few weeks apart in age and no stranger a drink or two myself - on some levels, I could relate to Liam and have always been keen to champion him.
It also helped that every time we crossed paths he was nothing but a gentleman and clearly wanted to help you out and give you a story.
His death was one of the very few celebrity deaths that hit me and all too often I find it's hard to shock me when it comes to this industry and the twists and turns it brings.
But even so, when I was first told of Roger's decision as I browsed the aisles of my local Sainsbury's and let out a very loud gasp.
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My immediate thought was why on earth would Roger do that to a man who has just lost his son in the most horrific and public of ways?
My second thought was for poor Geoff - a humble mechanic from Wolverhampton - who has done nothing but try and get through the past few months in the most dignified of ways.
Five people charged over Liam Payne’s death including 1D star’s pal Roger Nores and hotel staff
Within minutes of learning of his son's death, Geoff was racing to Argentina and social media and went into meltdown and online publications started breaking the tragic news.
Upon arriving in the country he was swamped with paparazzi in sickening scenes reminiscent of the 90s media frenzies.
Geoff's arrival at the Casa Sur Hotel was live streamed around the world - understandably he looked ashen faced and in shock as he was essentially dragged through a crowd of cameras and screaming fans.
It was one of the worst media scrums I've seen in years and would never have happened had Liam's passing taken place on home soil.
I'm not ashamed to admit it caused me to well up.
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction's camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing 'Just a boy...' alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: "Such an awful tragedy.
"Sending love to his family and all those who loved him."
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was "devastated" and "lost for words".
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x".
Liam Gallagher said he was "very sad" and told his followers on X: "Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy."
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the "devastating news" on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: "I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
"We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
"Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP."
Niall Horan's brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a "top young man".
He added: "You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
"My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
"10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x"
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: "RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…"
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: "I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
"He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone...
"I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry..."
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: "RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family."
In another tweet, they added: "Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne."
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: "So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend."
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam's tragic death on Instagram, adding: "Can't believe this! RIP Liam."
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: "I'm so taken aback, rest in peace."
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a "loving and kind soul".
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: "Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
"I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x."
Payne previously appeared on Cordon's The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall - who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part - described him as "the first friend I made in this industry".
She said: "We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
"Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we'd 'make it'. I hope you are at peace now".
Camila Cabello described his death as a "tragedy" and said he ";made an impression" on her when she was a young girl.
All I could see was a grieving dad in his 60s, out of his depth halfway around the world, but steadfast in his mission to bring his son home one final time.
To their credit, devoted One Direction fans turned themselves into a human barricade to try and block images being taken of Geoff through the hotel windows.
I can't even begin to imagine the emotions that man was going through - I'm sure most of it now seems like a blur.
Geoff remained in the country working around the clock with the authorities both in the investigation and to repatriate Liam.
Every time we crossed paths, Liam was nothing but a gentleman and clearly wanted to help you out
Slowly but surely Geoff, his wife Karen, and their family have begun picking up the pieces of their life and coming to terms with the "new normal" and life without Liam.
So how utterly gut wrenching must it be for them to have received a call from their lawyer informing them Roger - a man Geoff has met and worked with on a number of occasions - has launched a legal attack to the tune of £8.1 million.
Quite simply, has the family not been through enough?
Roger insists he was simply "a good friend" rather than manager to Liam, though I struggle to see how any "good friend" would proceed to sue the parents of their dead pal for even $1 let alone $10 million.
Liam Payne's sad death
On October 16, 2024, Liam Payne sadly died, leaving family, friends and fans devastated.
Here we take you through the biggest stories to unfold since his tragic passing:
- Liam's death is announced.
- The star's family release a heartbreaking statement.
- Liam's cause of death revealed after he fell from a balcony.
- The singer's One Direction bandmates pay tribute.
- Cheryl Cole describes ‘earth shattering’ agony following the death of son's father.
- Mourners gather at vigils around the world to honour the late star.
- Liam's girlfriend Kate Cassidy makes an emotional tribute.
- Liam's body is flown back to the UK with his family.
- Zayn Malik reschedules his tour dates due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ following Liam's death.
- Liam's family announce his funeral.
I obviously can't speak for Liam, but I can safely say should any of my friends ever "pull a Roger" on my parents following a bizarre turn of events in my life, I would be quite literally turning in my grave.
The Argentinian businessman claims that Geoff has caused "irreparable damage" after making a series of claims to police during their investigation into Liam's death.
For the sake of the family I won't repeat Geoff's sworn testimony as it was intended - as should any sworn police testimony - to be private.
However, in short, Geoff told the authorities he believed Liam was in Roger's care.
In legal documents that have gone around the world, Roger brands Geoff's comments 'misleading, false and defamatory'.
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He alleges the comments have helped form the backbone of the decision to charge him with manslaughter.
Grief can do funny things to people and maybe - hopefully - Roger will look back on his decision with regret.
But if he wants to be angry at someone then Roger should focus his efforts on the Buenos Aires City Police.
The authorities have been accused of leaking left, right and centre, from the moment Liam tragically passed away.
Quite simply, has the family not been through enough?
As expected, the Payne family are keeping a dignified silence and I'm told there will be no public comment on the latest developments.
It's a stance they have taken throughout Liam's career and since his death.
It's the stance they took when an internal emails between Geoff and Roger found there way into US media a few weeks ago.
The same stance they took when Geoff was hounded during his trip to Argentina to bring his son home.
The same stance ahead of, during, and after Liam's funeral in November as the world's media gathered outside a tiny village church in Amersham.
Inside Liam Payne and Cheryl's romance
By Joanne Kavanagh, Showbiz Reporter
It was a romance that caused a media storm.
One Direction hunk Liam Payne was only 14 when he met former X Factor judge Cheryl during the show in 2008.
But it wasn't until 2016 - when the Girls Aloud singer was divorcing her second husband - that the pair got together despite their ten-year age gap.
The couple made their relationship official in May of that year when they appeared at Eva Longoria's Global Gift Gala in Paris.
In 2017, Liam paid a sweet tribute to his girlfriend by getting a tattoo of her eye on his arm.
Cheryl was pregnant at the time and gave birth to a boy on March 22, 2017.
She posted a picture on Instagram of Liam cradling their 7lb 9oz baby and captioned: "On Wednesday Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy looking like a dream."
One pal told The Sun: "Liam didn't leave Cheryl's side throughout the birth, and like her, he is besotted with their new son and can't wait to take him home.
"This is the perfect Mother's Day for Cheryl."
The Sun revealed in May 2017 that the couple named their son Bear.
They decided on the unusual name after spending a week getting to know him.
In February 2018, The Sun broke the news that Liam's constant travelling to promote his solo career had placed a huge strain on the relationship, and the pair were ready to split.
That same month, as she shrugged off questions about her crumbling romance with Liam during a BBC Breakfast interview.
They then put on a united front together at the Brit Awards where they smiled on the red carpet and Cheryl joked about the couple's 'safe word'.
However, by July 2018, Cheryl and Liam made the decision to split.
A pal told The Sun: "Cheryl and Liam worked really hard on their relationship – they had troubles earlier this year and were able to get through them.
"But they're in different stages of their lives and, after a lot of careful thought, came to a decision that it's best for everyone if they do go their separate ways."
Liam and Cheryl released a statement confirming their break-up which read: "We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make.
"We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together."
The same stance they took when Liam's friend and collaborator, US musician Sam Pounds, blindsided them by announcing he was going to release one of the tracks they had worked on together just days after Liam's passing.
Sam later reversed his decision deciding to "leave those liberties up to all family members".
The same can't be said for Roger however.
In a decision as baffling as his legal attack on Liam's family - Roger sat down for a filmed interview with American gossip site TMZ.
I can't even begin to imagine the emotions Liam's dad was going through
Speaking on their documentary TMZ Presents: Liam Payne: Who's to Blame? - Roger insisted he did all he could to protect the star.
He then proceeded to tell the site a series of never before heard stories about Liam's behaviour and health battles.
Back in November I told how Roger was not welcome at Liam's funeral amid the ongoing investigation - after his legal bid, they must feel validated in their decision more than ever.
At the time told me: "It's true he and Liam had a bond but he's never been popular when it comes to Liam's wider circle.
"There is a difference in the narrative, Roger would say he stepped back from working with Liam - others would say he was pushed."
All too often we have seen families and former colleagues descend into legal madness following the death of a superstar.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Faced with knock after knock it must be taking Liam's family all the will power in the world to keep quiet and hold their head high.
I hope for their sake Roger rethinks his ill thought out action.
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