Liam Payne’s partner Kate Cassidy shares post about grief at Christmas

Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has shared a message about experiencing sadness and grief during the holiday season following the singer’s death.

One Direction star Payne died aged 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

In an Instagram Story post on Wednesday, Cassidy advised others to “be gentle” with those around them during the Christmas period and sent her love to those “carrying grief”.

The message read: “As the holidays are here, I realise it is a time for happiness and joy, but it is also a time of sadness and grief for so many.

“Be gentle with those around you this time of year, as the holidays can feel different for everyone.”

It continued: “Sending all my love to those carrying grief this holiday. I hope the seasons bring you comfort and peace.”

“Wishing everyone a love-filled and healthy holiday season this year.”

Cassidy joined Payne’s family and One Direction bandmates last month at a private funeral in Buckinghamshire.

She said her heart was “shattered” and that she had “lost the best part of myself” in an emotional tribute.

“You are – because I can’t say were – my best friend, the love of my life, and everyone you touched felt just as special as I did”, she wrote in an Instagram post.

Cassidy also said the pair had sat “manifesting our lives together” a few weeks before Payne died, and revealed she had a note from the singer, which she has kept “close”.

According to Cassidy, it said: “Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged & together forever 444”.

“Liam, I know we’ll be together forever, but not in the way we had planned”, she added.

“You’ll always be with me. I’ve gained a guardian angel. I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, carrying our dreams and memories with me everywhere I go.”

Payne, who rose to fame with boy band One Direction when they were formed on ITV talent show The X Factor in 2010, died of multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage”, a post-mortem examination report said.

An investigation has been launched by prosecutors and several people have been charged in connection with his death.