Singer and three-time MTV European Music Awards show host Rita Ora has led a tribute to late One Direction member Liam Payne at the awards ceremony in Manchester.
Payne died last month after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires. He was 31.
Speaking towards the end of the awards show, a visibly emotional Rita Ora said he was “one of the kindest people I knew”.
“He was a big part of the MTV world and my world and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight,” she said.
Rita Ora pays tribute to former One Direction singer Liam Payne. (Reuters: Phil Noble)
“He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and he left such a mark on this world.”
The pair collaborated in 2018 for the hit single For You, which charted in the top 10 in the United Kingdom.
“He had the biggest heart, and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could,” Ora added.
“Let’s just take a moment to remember our friend.”
The crowd stopped to remember former One Direction singer Liam Payne. (Reuters: Phil Noble)
After Rita Ora finished speaking, a short video showing Liam Payne singing the One Direction song Night Changes was shown on a big screen.
Payne’s body has been flown back to England ahead of a funeral service. Fans have been urged to stay away from the private send-off.
Pop megastar Taylor Swift was the big winner at the MTV Europe Music Awards on Sunday, picking up four trophies.
South African singer Tyla followed with three prizes — best Afrobeats, best R&B and best African act.
Other winners on Sunday night included Sabrina Carpenter, whose hit Espresso won best song, Ariana Grande who took the best pop award and Eminem who triumphed in the best hip-hop category.
Other honorees included US rapper Busta Rhymes, who performed a medley of his hits and received the global icon award and pop pioneer award recipients British electro-pop duo Pet Shop Boys, who closed the show.
Reuters