Rita Ora had an emotional moment while hosting the MTV EMAS as she remembered her old friend, Liam Payne.

The British artist lead the annual event last night (10 November), which was held at the Co-op Live arena in Manchester.

Some of music’s biggest names showed up on the red carpet in designer attire, and though it is ordinarily a night of celebration, host Ora had a heartfelt moment on stage as she remembered the former One Direction member.

Liam Payne tragically passed away aged 31 on 16 October this year, after a fall from the third floor balcony at Casasur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Three people have since been arrested in relation to the singer’s death.

As fans of the late artist continued to grieve, Ora joined them, as she took time to honour his impact on the music industry while on stage for MTV.

Though it’s not the first time she has got emotional in front of a crowd since Payne’s passing, with her breaking down in tears while performing ‘For You’ – a song they performed together – at one of her shows the day after his death.

At the EMAS last night, she said: “I just want to take a moment to remember someone very, very dear to us.

Rita Ora shared some kind words about the late Liam Payne (Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Viacom International)

“We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight. Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew.”

As the arena erupted into applause, the 33-year-old went on: “There were so many ways that we were talking about honouring him and I think sometimes simply speaking is enough.”

She concluded: “He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could. He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and he left such a mark on this world’.”

“So, let’s just take a moment to remember our friend, Liam,” Ora said, visibly struggling to finish her words.

Former One Direction member Liam Payne tragically died after a fall from a hotel balcony on 16 October (Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage)

This was then followed by a photo tribute, as black-and-white images of the singer was shown on screens around the venue, while ‘Night Changes’, a song by One Direction, played in the background.

In terms of awards last night, Taylor Swift scooped up the best live, best video, and best artist categories, sending in a video to be played on screens as she was not present at the event.

Ariana Grande took home the best pop category, while the best collaboration was won by LISA featuring Rosalía for ‘New Woman’.

Best song went to Sabrina Carpenter for her break out hit ‘Espresso’, while the best UK and Ireland award went to RAYE.

Cheryl has shared a heartfelt tribute to her former partner Liam Payne after he passed away aged 31 in Argentina.

Police in Buenos Aires, Argentina confirmed the former One Direction singer had died after falling from a balcony at his hotel in the Argentinian capital on 16 October.

A preliminary post-mortem would later reveal that Payne had died from ‘internal and external haemorrhaging’ from injuries sustained from the fall.

His ex-girlfriend Cheryl has since shared a tribute to the singer, whom she shares a seven-year-old son with.

The pair were introduced on the X Factor (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The ‘Fight for this Love’ singer took to Instagram to share her tribute, which featured a photograph of Payne with their son Bear as an infant, alongside a plea to fans to refrain from sharing any speculation about the singer’s death.

“As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” she began.

“Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.

“What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.

“I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to rad them.

“Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.

“Thank you, Cheryl.”

The pair were first introduced on ITV singing series X Factor, where he first auditioned as a teenager before being added to boyband One Direction, going on to enter into a romantic relationship in February 2016.

Payne had travelled to Argentina to watch his former bandmate Niall Horan (Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage)

In 2017, the couple welcomed their only child together, a son named Bear Grey Payne.

Payne remained an active presence in Bear’s life after he and Cheryl separated, with the singer referring to Bear as his ‘mini me’ in his final public comments about his son.

Cheryl’s statement follows tributes from Payne’s former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Horan, as well as a post from X Factor boss and former 1D manager Simon Cowell, as well as his current partner Kate Cassidy.

Payne’s family have also issued a statement in the wake of his death, which reads: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

Dermot O’Leary, the host of X-Factor, has paid an emotional tribute to Liam Payne the day after the former One Direction singer’s death.

Payne died after falling from his hotel balcony in Argentina.

He was aged just 31 and left behind his son Bear, who is seven.

O’Leary was first up on This Morning after Kat Deeley and Ben Shephard opened with the news that Payne had died last night, October 16.

O’Leary appeared on This Morning (ITV)

The X Factor host met Payne when he was just 14, when the singer first audition for the singing talent show.

Payne came back two years later after judge Simon Cowell decided he was too young, and was grouped with what would become the other members of One Direction.

O’Leary reminisced over his time on X Factor, saying: “You get to know the families so well in such a short period of time.

“His mum and dad were just adorable. They were never pushy, this was very much his dream. He loved, he just loved to sing.”

He went on to pay an emotional tribute, saying after his death he ‘just thought of his family’.

O’Leary went on to say: “I thought of his son and then I thought of his parents. I mean, no parent should have to bury their son or their daughter.”

He then added: “Obviously our thoughts and our prayers, our candles are half-lit for his family. That goes without saying”.

O’Leary was a host on X-Factor (ITV)

O’Leary was full of praise for the late singer, noting in particular his choice of song for his X-Factor audition at 14, with Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra.

He said: “He was both wise and sort of a young soul at the exactly same time. He had this old bones about him, like his musical taste.

“Yet, he was always quite beautifully wide-eyed about the world and his place in it. It’s such a huge amount of pressure to be put on young shoulders.”

O’Leary’s is the latest in a sea of tributes from celebrities and fans after the shocking news of the passing of Liam Payne.

One Direction came third on the X Factor in 2010 but the band, made up of Payne, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.

Liam Payne shot to fame as part of One Direction (Fred Duval via Getty Images)

The band would go on to international success, becoming one of the highest selling boybands of all time.

Malik would leave the group in 2015, before the remaining members would go on indefinite hiatus in 2016.

The official X Factor account was one of many to pay tribute to Payne after his death, saying: “We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne.

“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.

“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.”

Simon Cowell has shared an emotional tribute to Liam Payne following the news that he has passed away at the age of 31.

Authorities in Argentina confirmed that the former One Direction singer had passed away after falling from a balcony at his hotel in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires on 16 October.

A preliminary post-mortem has since confirmed that Payne died from ‘internal and external haemorrhaging’ after falling 40 metres from a third floor balcony.

Music mogul and X Factor boss Cowell has now shared a statement saying that he is ‘truly devastated’, ‘heartbroken’ and feels ’empty’ after hearing the news.

Simon Cowell had mentored One Direction while they were on X Factor (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” he began on his Instagram post.

“Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty.

“And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.

“This is so difficult to put into words right now. I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together. I wanted to let you know what I would always say to the thousands of people who would always ask me. What is Liam like?

“And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans.

“I had to tell you when you were 14 that this wasn’t your time. And we both made a promise that we would meet again. A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t. You came back and within months the whole world know Liam.

Liam Payne died at the age of 31 (Kate Green/Getty Images)

“And you never forgot the fans. I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you. You really cared.”

He continued: “You came to see me last year. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And we reminisced about all of the fun times we had together. And how proud you were to be a Dad. After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I had met all of those years ago.

“I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have.

“And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.”

He added: “I always thought the 5 of you in the band as brothers. And regarding their messages today I believe you were.

“And now Liam, I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon.

“Rest in peace my friend. And I am sending my love, thoughts and prayers to your family. Simon X.”

The music mogul had mentored Payne as part of boyband One Direction during their time on X Factor, before going on to sign the group to his Syco record label.

Cowell’s statement follows tributes from Payne’s former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.