Northern Ireland

One Direction’s Tyrone ‘dad’ Paul Higgins accompanies Liam Payne’s father to Argentina

Paul Higgins and Geoff Payne spent time looking at tributes left by fans outside the Casa Sur Hotel where pop star died

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA - OCTOBER 18: Geoff Payne, father of Liam Payne, aknowledges the fans at the memorial in tribute to former One Direction singer Liam Payne outside Casa Sur Hotel on October 18, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. According to the Buenos Aires police department, the 31-year-old artist fell from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Palermo on October 16th. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images)
Liam Payne's father Geoff, aknowledges the fans at the memorial in tribute his son outside Casa Sur Hotel accompanied by Paul Higgins. (Photo by Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images) (Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images)
By Catherine McGinty

A TYRONE man, who was One Direction’s tour manager, has travelled to Argentina with Liam Payne’s dad Geoff to finalise plans to bring his body home.

The 31 year-old pop star died on Wednesday in Buenos Aires following a fall from a balcony at his hotel.

Paul Higgins and Geoff Payne were seen spending time looking at tributes left by fans outside the Casa Sur Hotel where the star had been staying until his death.

Payne found international stardom as part of the boyband with members Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, created on The X factor TV show in 2010.

Cheryl says death of Liam Payne is ‘breaking my heart’ for their young son (Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
One Direction's Liam Payne (31) who sadly died on Wednesday after a fall from a balcony in his Buenos Aires hotel. (Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP) (Joel C Ryan/Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)

Originally from Wicklow but living in Dungannon, Mr Higgins, the One Direction tour manager until 2014, is reportedly “devastated” by Liam Payne’s death.

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The pair were close friends. The security specialist had spent time him in the north and Saudi Arabia over the past year. He had become Mr Payne’s security advisor after he stepped down from the role of tour manager.

Paul Higgins was the founding director of the All Star Security firm and has also worked with Boyzone, Westlife, Shayne Ward and YungBlud. His closeness to One Direction band members led to him becoming known as the boys’ ‘second dad’ on tour.

One Direction also attended his 2011 wedding to Tyrone’s Clodagh McGeary.

One Direction fans in Buenos Aires mourned Liam Payne’s death at a vigil outside the Argentine hotel
One Direction fans in Buenos Aires mourned Liam Payne’s death at a vigil outside the Argentine hotel (Daniela Flores/PA)

Mr Higgins has made no public comment on the death of Liam Payne.

A spokesperson said: “At this time Paul has no further comment. Like the family Paul is, himself, grieving and coming to terms with everything that has happened this week.”

However, he has been widely praised by One Direction fans for accompanying Geoff Payne to Argentina.

Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Liam Payne rose to global stardom as part of One Direction
Liam Payne with his One Direction bandmates, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles. (Ian West/PA)

One fan wrote on social media: “Paul Higgins being with Geoff is, once again, breaking something in me.

“He was more than their head of security and tour manager, he was their on the road dad. And seeing him secure Geoff to his son when it used to be the other way around … absolutely gut wrenching.”

Geoff Payne waves to fans outside the Casa Sur Hotel (Mario De Fina/AP)
Geoff Payne waves to fans outside the Casa Sur Hotel (Mario De Fina/AP) (Mario De Fina/AP)

On X another said: “Paul is still loved by the directioners, seeing his reaction and gaze reminds me that he is also grieving and doing his job at the same time, protecting Liam’s family now. Paul Higgins we love you. RIP Liam Payne.”