JUST NOW : Louis Tomlinson ‘Could Never’ Perform ‘as Part of’ One Direction After Liam Payne’s Death, Says Rep: Report

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Louis Tomlinson ‘Could Never’ Perform ‘as Part of’ One Direction After Liam Payne’s Death, Says Rep: Report

Liam Payne died on Oct. 16 after falling from his balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Rachel DeSantis

Updated on March 14, 2025 02:35PM EDT

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Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson present an award for Best Female Solo Artist at the BRIT Awards 2016 at The O2 Arena on February 24, 2016 in London, England. Photo:

Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty

Louis Tomlinson has no plans to reunite with his One Direction bandmates anytime soon after the death of one of their own.

Rumors circulated earlier this year that after the October death of Liam Payne, his surviving bandmates Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik might join forces for a tribute at the BRIT Awards on March 1.

The reunion didn’t happen — and in a new interview with The Standard, a PR manager for Tomlinson, 33, said it likely never will.

“Louis just despairs. He could never get up there and sing as part of the band after what has happened,” the representative said.

A spokesperson for Tomlinson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

One Direction announced an indefinite hiatus in 2015, months after Malik left the group. Each member went on to have a solo career, and the group never made a public appearance together again.

Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Harry Styles of One Direction attends a photocall to launch their new film ‘One Direction: This Is Us 3D’ at Big Sky Studios on August 19, 2013 in London, England.

Dave M. Benett/WireImage

Louis Tomlinson Attends Ex 1D Bandmate Zayn Malik’s L.A. Show and Gets Onstage Shoutout: ‘Tonight Is Kind of Special’

The day after Payne died on Oct. 16 after falling from his balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tomlinson shared an emotional note to Instagram, saying he “would have loved to share the stage with [Payne] again but it wasn’t to be.”

“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” he wrote. “I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.”

The “Miss You” singer said he considered Payne “the most vital part of One Direction” thanks to his experience, perfect pitch, stage presence and songwriting abilities.

“Thank you for shaping us Liam,” he wrote.

Tomlinson concluded his post with a message to Payne that made a promise to the late star’s son Bear, 7, whom he shared with ex Cheryl.

Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson from One Direction attend the Brit Awards at O2 Arena. rune hellestad/Corbis via Getty

“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was,” he wrote. “I wish I got [the] chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well x.”

Tomlinson, Styles, Malik and Horan all attended Payne’s funeral in November, and the day after his death, the surviving band members issued a rare group statement — their first since Malik left the band in 2015.

“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” the statement began. “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.”

Liam Payne in London in January 2018.

Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

Louis Tomlinson Makes Promise to Liam Payne’s Son in Heartbreaking Tribute After Singer’s Death: ‘I Will Be the Uncle He Needs’

In January, Tomlinson attended Malik’s tour stop in Los Angeles, and was given a shoutout from the stage.

“Tonight is kind of special. An old friend of mine is here supporting me tonight,” Malik, 32, told the audience, per footage on social media, before looking to the balcony and adding, “He’s sitting somewhere here. I don’t want to give his location away, but Louis is here tonight.”

Tomlinson put out his second album, Faith in the Future, in 2022, and recently launched the fourth collection in his 28 clothing brand, which he founded in August 2023.