Ex-One Direction singer Zayn Malik has announced the postponement of tour dates after the death of his bandmate Liam Payne(Image: PA)

Ex-One Direction star postpones shows after Liam Payne death

Zayn was due to embark on a string of live dates but they will not be going ahead as planned

by · Wales Online

Ex-One Direction singer Zayn Malik has announced the postponement of tour dates after the death of his bandmate Liam Payne. The singer has announced the decision to postpone parts of his upcoming headline tour after Payne was found dead aged 31 on Wednesday.

Zayn, who has released four solo albums since leaving the boyband in 2015 - the first member to depart - was due to start his tour on October 23 in San Francisco, California. His last American show was set for the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, on November 3. The UK leg of his tour is due to start on November 20 at the O2 Academy in Edinburgh before finishing up on December 4 at Manchester's O2 Apollo.

However, he has announced the US leg will be rescheduled, saying in a message to fans on Saturday: "Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I've made the decision to postpone the US leg of the STAIRWAY TO THE SKY Tour. The dates are being rescheduled for January and I'll post them as soon as it's all set in the next few days. Your tickets will remain valid for the new dates. Love you all and thank you for your understanding."

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In the wake of Liam Payne's death on Wednesday Zayn issued a joint statement along with the other One Direction members in tribute saying they were "completely devastated" by his death. Zayn also issued his own lengthy statement in which he said he will "cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated.

“I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro.” For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.