Liam Payne: Black Country pays tribute to Wolverhampton-born superstar who never forgot his roots

The singer, who shot to stardom as a member of the boy band in 2010, was pronounced dead in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, local officials said, according to the Associated Press.

Liam, from Bushbury in Wolverhampton, developed a love of performing as a schoolboy at St Peter’s Collegiate School in Compton and had studied music at Wolverhampton College before auditioning on the X Factor as a teenager.

Louise Fall, principal and chief executive at Wolverhampton College, said: “We were sorry to hear the news about former student Liam Payne and wish to extend our sympathies to his family and friends at this very sad time.”

Staff at St Peter's Collegiate Academy described the singer as being "well-liked" by his fellow pupils and teachers.

In a statement, the Compton Road West school said: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our former student, Liam Payne.

"During his time at St Peter's Collegiate Academy, Liam was not only well-liked by his peers and teachers but also recognised for his talents.

"He made a positive impact on our school community, and his contributions will be remembered.

"Our thoughts are with Liam's family and friends during this difficult time. We extend our sincere condolences to all those affected by his passing."

Liam was proud of his Wolverhampton roots and kept close links with the city. He supported The Way Youth Zone, becoming an ambassador.

The youth club said: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Liam Payne.

"As an ambassador for our Youth Zone during its early years, Liam raised awareness of our charity and supported our mission to empower young people in Wolverhampton.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time."

The former One Direction member also backed Central Youth Theatre, based at the Newhampton Arts Centre in Dunkley Street, Wolverhampton.

CEO Holly Parry said: "Liam didn't attend Central Youth Theatre as a member, but was always as I believe supportive of local performing arts opportunities for young people in Wolverhampton, particularly giving voice and championing the huge benefits that grassroots arts opportunities can offer young people locally.

"As I understand, he attended Pink Productions to take part in performances as a youngster.

"As a fellow Wolverhampton youth theatre, we're so incredibly sad to hear about his death, and send our condolences to all who knew him and worked with him at Pink Productions.

"To have such an incredibly talented individual hail from Wolverhampton gave our city such pride, Liam served as a role model to so many talented young people from across the city and our thoughts are with his family and all who knew him."

Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre also paid tribute to Liam, who last visited the venue in 2013.

The statement read: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Liam Payne this morning and of course his millions of fans, with whom we share immense grief.

"We are always so proud of Wolverhamptoners whose talent propels them to stardom on stage, screen and music.

"Liam last visited the Grand Theatre as an audience member during the height of One Direction in 2013, we know memories of that night will last long in the memories of those who met him."

There have meanwhile been talks of a musical tribute to the former boy band member at KK's Steel Mill in Wolverhampton tonight, when folk-punk band Ferocious Dog take to the stage at the music venue.

On Facebook, Ian Henley wrote: "Liam Payne has died, I know he isn't the kind of musician that Ferocious Dog fans listen to, but a lot of people will be mourning this thoroughly decent young man.

"He's from Wolverhampton, so maybe a dedication at KK'S Steel Mill - Live Music tonight, would be appropriate. Him and his bandmates have done a lot to inspire the younger generation."

Fellow Wolverhampton-born star Beverley Knight described feeling "stunned" at the news of the singer's death.

Writing to her fans on Facebook, she said: "I know this sense of utter shock is felt by millions around the world right now.

"I always kept my eye on what my fellow Wolverhamptoners in the spotlight were doing, and felt immense pride that a young lad from my town had become a worldwide star, a member of one of the best selling boybands of all time.

"I was also concerned that the spotlight had become a little too bright for such a young life.

"My heart is shattered for his parents Karen and Geoff, and his son whose future memories have been snatched away."

Other singers have taken to social media to pay tribute to Liam, including Boyzone's Mikey Graham.

Writing to X, the Irish vocalist wrote: "RIP Liam Payne. Such tragic news. I think it would be a wise move for record companies to have psychologists on their books from now on in his memory as a duty of care for the vulnerability of their young talent.

"Fame can be very damaging especially in today’s world. Lots of money. Nobody to help. Lots of yes people. Nobody honest."

The X Factor star was hailed as one of the city's 'Famous Sons and Daughters' by the University of Wolverhampton in 2013.

In a tribute on Thursday morning, the university said: "We would like to offer our most sincere condolences to Liam Payne's family and friends in Wolverhampton.

"Liam was honoured in 2013 as one of Wolverhampton's Famous Sons and Daughters outside our Gateway building in the city centre."

The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Linda Leach, described the news of Liam's death as "tragic".

She said: "Wolverhampton is extremely proud of Liam, a young man from humble beginnings who went on to achieve global stardom with millions of fans around the world.

“I know that members of his family still live locally and I wish to send my sincere condolences to them for the unimaginable grief they must be experiencing.

“It is tragic to think he has been taken from the world so young, it doesn’t seem long ago that he was performing with the rest of One Direction in Wolverhampton city centre during those X Factor days when their fame was just beginning.

"Our thoughts today are with all those who knew and loved Liam, may he rest in peace."

The singer also had ties with the borough of Dudley, having turned on the Christmas lights in the town back in 2009.

Councillor Hilary Bills, Mayor of Dudley, said: "People across the world will be sad and shocked to hear the news of Liam’s untimely passing, and my thoughts are with his family and friends.

"He was a true local talent, much-loved across the Black Country and in his hometown of Wolverhampton.

"I, like many local people, remember when he appeared at the Christmas Lights switch on in Dudley in 2009, with fans coming from all over to get a glimpse."

Speaking to BBC WM, John Carpenter, who had been to school with Liam, said he remembered his last words to the singer.

He said: "Myself and Liam first met in 2004 when we attended St Peters Collegiate School in Wolverhampton and Liam was actually my first friend at the school when we were in Year Seven together.

"My last words to him were 'Liam, I know you're going to get a lot of fame from this day. Stay grounded and remember our time at St Peters'."

Kerry Dunn from Pink Production Group also paid tribute on Radio WM to Liam, saying that she had been left stunned by the news.

She said: "My brother sent me a message in the middle of the night to tell me and I'm just stunned.

"I've known Liam from when he was about 13 when I started at Pink Productions with my daughter and we danced with him for about four or five years."

Liam was a West Bromwich Albion fan. The club paid tribute to the singer on X.