Liam Payne's father reads tributes and kisses pictures outside Argentinian hotel where One Direction star died

Hundreds of flowers and tributes have since been placed outside the hotel by mourning fans.

Liam’s father Geoff Payne was seen reading messages left by well-wishers outside the hotel as a crowd of grieving supporters gathered around him.

Mr Payne arrived in Argentina on Friday to arrange the repatriation of his son’s body to the UK. Earlier in the day, he was spotted leaving a different hotel in the city, accompanied by British consular officials and security staff.

Argentinian officials confirmed that Mr Payne visited the city’s morgue to identify his son's body and later met with the local prosecutor's office to coordinate its return to the UK. Local media reported that he was also expected to collect some of Liam's belongings during the visit.

On Thursday, Liam Payne’s family released a joint statement, saying they were "heartbroken" by his death. They added: "Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we'll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

In a touching tribute yesterday, Niall, 31, said he would "cherish every moment" they had had together since rising to fame with Harry Styles, 30, Louis Tomlinson, 32, and Zayn Malik, 31, in One Direction after being put together by Simon Cowell on The X Factor in 2010.

Music mogul Simon, 65, told of his own agony at Liam's tragic death. He said: "You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens.

"Liam, I am 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.

"Thousands of people 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."

She said: "As I try to navigate this earth shattering event and work through my own grief at this indegot scribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.

"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 seven-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.

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

A post-mortem report showed Liam died of multiple traumas and "internal and external haemorrhage" following his fall.

Prosecutors in Argentina said they are investigating the tragedy as an "inconclusive death" after the report.