Louis Tomlinson 'Could Never' Perform 'as Part of' One Direction After Liam Payne's Death, Says Rep: Report

Mar. 15, 2025

Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson present an award for Best Female Solo Artist at the BRIT Awards 2016 at The O2 Arena on February 24, 2016 in London, England.Photo:Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty

Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty

Louis Tomlinsonhas no plans to reunite with hisOne Direction bandmatesanytime soon after the death of one of their own.

Rumors circulated earlier this year that after the October death ofLiam Payne, his surviving bandmates Tomlinson,Harry Styles,Niall HoranandZayn Malikmight join forces for a tribute at the BRIT Awards on March 1.

The reunion didn’t happen — and in a new interview withThe Standard, a PR manager for Tomlinson, 33, said it likely never will.

“Louis just despairs. He could never get up there and sing as part of the band after what has happened,” the representative said.

A spokesperson for Tomlinson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

One Directionannounced an indefinite hiatusin 2015, months after Malik left the group. Each member went on to have a solo career, and the group never made a public appearance together again.

Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Harry Styles of One Direction attends a photocall to launch their new film ‘One Direction: This Is Us 3D’ at Big Sky Studios on August 19, 2013 in London, England.Dave M. Benett/WireImage

Dave M. Benett/WireImage

The day after Payne died on Oct. 16 after falling from his balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tomlinsonshared an emotional noteto Instagram, saying he “would have loved to share the stage with [Payne] again but it wasn’t to be.”

The “Miss You” singer said he considered Payne “the most vital part of One Direction” thanks to his experience, perfect pitch, stage presence and songwriting abilities.

“Thank you for shaping us Liam,” he wrote.

Tomlinson concluded his post with a message to Payne that made a promise to the late star’s son Bear, 7, whomhe shared with ex Cheryl.

Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson from One Direction attend the Brit Awards at O2 Arena.rune hellestad/Corbis via Getty

Tomlinson, Styles, Malik and Horanall attended Payne’s funeralin November, and the day after his death, the surviving band membersissued a rare group statement— their first since Malik left the band in 2015.

Liam Payne in London in January 2018.Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

In January, Tomlinsonattended Malik’s tour stopin Los Angeles, and was given a shoutout from the stage.

“Tonight is kind of special. An old friend of mine is here supporting me tonight,” Malik, 32, told the audience, per footage on social media, before looking to the balcony and adding, “He’s sitting somewhere here. I don’t want to give his location away, but Louis is here tonight.”

Tomlinson put out his second album,Faith in the Future, in 2022, and recently launched the fourth collection in his 28 clothing brand, which he founded in August 2023.

source: people.com