Jingle Bell Ball: opening ceremony with tribute to Liam Payne

At the annual Jingle Bell Ball in the O2 Arena in London, Liam Payne (1992-2024) was remembered at the beginning of the event. “Tonight we remember Liam Payne,” was read on the big screen on Saturday evening (December 7th), even before the first appearance on stage. The lights were dimmed for a moment of silence, as reported.

The Jingle Bell Ball has been held annually in the British capital since 2008. The event lasts the whole weekend and invites the biggest music stars to concerts. In 2019, the late singer himself performed at the event. This year, Coldplay and Perrie Edwards (31), among others, performed for the audience; on the second evening, pop star Katy Perry (40) is the main act.

Liam Payne, who became a global star as a member of the boy band One Direction, died two months ago at the age of 31. He fell from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16, presumably under the influence of drugs. His death caused a wave of consternation. Numerous fans made pilgrimages to the artist’s places of work and remembered him for hours.

His former bandmates Harry Styles (30), Zayn Malik (31), Louis Tomlinson (32) and Niall Horan (31) also all reported emotional statements online. Malik postponed some dates on his solo tour. He also ended his concert after the loss with a tribute: “Liam Payne 1993-2024. I love you, brother,” the screen read.