Liam Payne’s first X Factor audition tape resurfaces following his death at 31

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By Asiya Ali

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Footage of Liam Payne's first X Factor audition has resurfaced online following the heartbreaking news of his death.

The entertainment world is in shock as police in Argentina confirmed that the 31-year-old former One Direction star tragically passed away on October 16.

Liam PayneLiam Payne died at age 31. Credit: Mike Marsland / Getty

According to BBC News, the 'You and I' musician had been pronounced dead after having fallen from a third-floor room balcony of the Hotel CasaSur in Buenos Aires.

AP News revealed that a hotel manager made the 911 call, and was concerned about an unnamed guest "destroying the room," and noted that the room the guest was in had a balcony.

Shortly after the police's arrival, reports say that a loud sound echoed from the hotel's interior courtyard, and Payne's body was shortly discovered.

The head of the city’s SAME emergency medical service told local media that Payne was rushed to the hospital. Still, he had suffered "very serious" injuries as a result of the fall and there was "no possibility of resuscitation".

Liam PaynePolice and firefighters work the scene at Casa Sur hotel where Liam Payne reportedly died. Credit: Tobias Skarlovnik / Getty

Fans are mourning the loss of the late star who was just 14 when he sang Frank Sinatra’s 'Fly Me to the Moon' at his X Factor audition back in 2008.

An old video has resurfaced on social media showing a young Payne expressing his passion for singing to judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, and Cheryl.

"When I'm at school, in general, I think about singing all the time," he said. "I should really be concentrating on my school work but I just think about singing too much."

Watch the video below:

Cowell told Payne that there was "20 percent missing" from his audition, to which the then-teenager pleaded for another audition to show them that he had the X Factor.

He ended up making it through to the judges' houses before being told by the music mogul to return in two years.

Payne took Cowell's advice and re-auditioned in 2010, going on to be placed in One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, becoming part of one of the world's biggest boy bands.

One DirectionPayne became a member of One Direction after his second X Factor audition. Credit: Jon Furniss / Getty

The late singer's distraught fans are now sharing their tribute posts about the 'What Makes You Beautiful' singer's first TV appearance.

"Being a Liam girl from the day he auditioned on x factor this has absolutely broken my heart," one person wrote. "I remember watching Liam audition for X factor …to being told no at judges house, his journey to #onedirection. My condolences to his friends, family, and his little boy. 31 is so so young," a second said.

The official X Factor page has also issued a tribute statement about Payne's death, writing: "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," they continued. "Our thoughts are with his friends, family, and all who loved him."

Featured image credit: ITV