Liam Payne’s first posthumous TV appearance confirmed months after death

Liam Payne’s first posthumous TV appearance has been confirmed (Picture: PA Wire)

Liam Payne will be featuring in a new Netflix talent competition, months after his death.

The former One Direction star died aged 31 on October 16 after he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

In the weeks before his death, Payne had been involved in filming the new reality series, titled Building The Band, which sets out to create ‘the next great pop group’.

Up until now, the future of the show, which was announced in September and also stars Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger, had yet to be confirmed, with reports stating it was ‘on hold’.

Netflix has now revealed that it will be airing months on from his death, and that Payne and Kelly both appear as guest judges in the competition series.

Former X Factor judge Nicole takes on the mentor and judge role, while Payne and Kelly are guest judges.

The Strip That Down hitmaker died aged 31 in October (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

He rose to fame in One Direction on The X Factor (Picture: Ken McKay/Talkback Thames/Shutterstock)

Building The Band, which brings together singers to form bands without seeing each other, follows a similar concept to Love Is Blind, with contestants kept in separate booths.

It had previously been reported that Payne loved the experience on the show and wanted to continue working with the bands after production.

A source told People: ‘Liam seemed so genuinely happy to be on set. He looked healthy, and was smiling in all his fan interactions, signing things and chatting with them between takes.

‘He was having a great time doing what he loved, and showed no signs of any underlying issues.’

Payne was said to be ‘so happy’ while filming Building The Band last summer (Picture: Marc Piasecki/GC Images)

In August, Kelly spoke about working with Payne, telling People: ‘Liam is absolutely hilarious. I didn’t know how funny he was, so I’m getting to know him, and he is so cool.’

Nicole was a judge on The X Factor when Payne auditioned in 2010 and helped to form boy band One Direction on the show.

Paying tribute after his death, she said: ‘I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago.

‘It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently. We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had.’

He appeared on the show alongside Kelly Rowland and Nicole Scherzinger (Picture: Instagram)

‘It’s been so hard to process that you’re no longer here, but I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character,’ Nicole continued.

‘You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you. I will “miss you” my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. 🙏🏽♥️’

Netflix confirmed the release as it revealed its 2025 slate of upcoming releases across TV and film.

Building The Band was one of the last projects from the former Strip That Down hitmaker, along with the track Do No Wrong with North Carolina singer Sam Pounds.

An investigation into Payne’s death is ongoing (Picture: Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Pounds later delayed the release of the new music, citing wanting Payne’s ‘family to mourn in peace and in prayer’.

In November, Payne’s funeral took place in Buckinghamshire and was attended by Cheryl, the mother to his son Bear, as well as fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Argentina is continuing to investigate the circumstances around Payne’s death at the Casa Sur Hotel.

Five people were later charged over his death, including the singer’s friend Roger Nores, the hotel’s manager, and a receptionist – who were all accused of manslaughter.

Two others, a hotel employee and a waiter, have been charged with supplying cocaine, Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office previously said in a statement.

An hearing was held by Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court in December to ascertain how Payne died.

It has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on November 6.

Nores has made a legal complaint in the US against Payne’s father, Geoff Payne – claiming ‘false’ sworn declarations to Argentine officials.

Court documents filed in Florida in January claim the pair had a ‘dear mutual friendship’ but insisted he ‘never had a legal duty of care’ towards him.

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