One Direction set record straight on Brits reunion rumours following Liam Payne death as band ‘makes decision’
One Direction have reportedly declined an offer to reunite at next month’s Brit Awards to pay tribute to their late bandmate Liam Payne.
Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik were approached by Brit Awards bosses about performing at the ceremony on March 1.
Sources say the band members have all decided against appearing at the event, feeling it could detract from remembering Payne’s memory.
It is now increasingly unlikely that any of the former bandmates will attend the ceremony at all – leaving the star’s funeral as the last time they reunited.
A source told The Sun: “It has been a really emotional time for the lads and it was decided that a performance would just be too much.
“They have grieved in private and don’t feel the need to do a big, showy tribute for the sake of it.”
The insider explained that while fans would be disappointed, the timing wasn’t right for a reunion and is something that should be celebrated on a separate occasion.
“Apart from anything else, Zayn lives in America now and they are all at different places in life. A One Direction reunion is not on the cards at all,” the source said.
The band members had briefly reconnected following Payne’s death, with the sad reunion being their first contact since Malik’s departure from the group in 2015.
Jack Whitehall, who will host this year’s Brits, is expected to include a tribute to Payne during the ceremony.
Sources indicate the tribute will form a “strong section of the show”, with the host planning to “say a few words” about the late singer.
Organisers are keeping Payne’s family informed about the tribute plans, though they are not directly involved in the arrangements.
The ceremony will mark the first major UK music industry event to honour the singer since his passing in October – with thousands expected to tune in to watch the warming tribute.
Payne died aged 31 in October following a fall from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His medical cause of death was confirmed as “polytrauma”.
All four remaining One Direction members attended his funeral on October 31 after his body was returned to the UK.
Last month, fans witnessed a touching moment of reconciliation when Tomlinson attended Malik’s concert in Los Angeles.
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During the performance, Malik acknowledged his former bandmate’s presence, telling the crowd: “Tonight’s something special. An old friend of mine is here for me tonight.”
The singer carefully avoided revealing Tomlinson’s location, adding: “He’s hidden somewhere here. I don’t want to give his location away.”