Liam Payne ‘dropped by record label’ days before death

One Direction singer reportedly blamed his boy band career for mental state minutes before he fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina

Liam Payne was dropped by his record label just days before his death, according to reports.
The singer, 31, signed a deal with Capitol Records in July 2016 when he launched his solo career.
But according to the Mail, Payne was axed by the label and his second album was put on hold.
It follows reports that he blamed being in One Direction for his mental state just minutes before his death.
Payne spoke to fellow guests before falling to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.
One witness to his erratic behaviour prior to the fall claims that the singer told them: “I used to be in a boy band – that’s why I’m so f—– up.”
It is claimed the singer made the admission at about 4.26pm local time. By 5.04pm, emergency services were responding to his fall.
Speaking to the Mail, a witness said that the singer had been hanging around the hotel lobby, and then suddenly shouted “f— this mate” and smashed his laptop on the floor.
It is claimed a member of his entourage apologised for his behaviour, which was causing concern for hotel staff.
Payne briefly left the lobby, the witness said, and on his return fell flat on his face. He was then helped to the lift.
Minutes later, police arrived and began dealing with what at first seemed like a serious injury, before guests saw the singer’s body outside and quickly realised the fall had been fatal.
Payne fell from the third floor of the hotel, suffering a fracture at the base of his skull and other injuries.
Argentine authorities said they had come across narcotics, alcohol and medicines such as Clonazepam in Payne’s room, while whiskey, a lighter and a mobile phone were found by his body.
The desk manager at the hotel where Payne was staying had phoned emergency services, telling them that “a guest who is high on drugs and alcohol… smashing up his entire room”.
A guest staying in the hotel, Doug Jones, told the BBC that he had heard “a lot of noise, like heavy lifting, banging, a lot of loud, violent noises” coming from Payne’s room prior to his death.
In a statement to Associated Press, Argentine police claimed that Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room”, although the Argentine prosecutors’ office said he could have fallen while semi-conscious or unconscious.
Sir Keir Starmer led tributes to Payne, offering his condolences to the family of the star and father of one, who had a son with singer Cheryl Cole.
Sir Keir’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister’s sincere condolences are with Liam’s family and friends at this time. One Direction was one of the biggest bands in history, and their music had a huge impact on many millions of fans around the world.”
It comes as Niall Horan paid a touching tribute saying he did not realise when he last saw him he would be saying “goodbye forever”.
Posting a photo of the singer giving Payne a piggyback ride on Instagram, he said: “I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real.
“Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
“All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
“We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever.
“The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”