TMZ slammed by Liam Payne Fans after celebrity website publishes pictures of One Direction star's body

The pictures were removed after a backlash with Ryan branding them a 'disgrace'

Celebrity website TMZ has been roundly criticised after publishing pictures of Liam Payne's body. They posted the pictures after it was announced the former One Direction singer had died after falling from the third floor of a hotel in in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Local police said the 31-year-old singer fell from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina's capital, before medics confirmed his death.

According to police in Buenos Aires, officers were initially responding to reports "of an aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol".

READ MORE: Live updates as fans hold vigil outside hotel and tributes pour in

READ MORE: Everything we know after One Direction star dies

Pictures showed shocked fans gathering outside the hotel after police cordoned off the area, with forensic investigators in white protective suits and blue gloves seen entering and leaving.

Fans were photographed lighting candles and leaving flowers at the side of the road in an impromptu vigil as they paid tribute to the music star. The Foreign Office confirmed it is in contact with authorities in Argentina "regarding reports of the death of a British man".

But celebrity website TMZ has received criticism after the posted pictures of Liam's body taken just minutes after the fall. The pictures were later removed.

They had initially typed: "TMZ obtained a photo showing Liam's body on a wooden deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby. We're not showing the whole body, but you can clearly see his tattoo - a clock on his left forearm, and a scorpion on his abdomen."

After facing backlash on social media, TMZ removed the photos of Liam's body. The copy was also changed to read: "TMZ has seen a photo showing Liam's body on the deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby. You can clearly see his tattoos - a clock on his left forearm, and a scorpion on his abdomen - which helped us confirm early reports from witnesses."

BBC presenter Rylan Clark wrote: “TMZ f***ing shame on you. Disgrace,” on X. Singer Alessia Carra wrote, “You’re gross @TMZ.”

TMZ and its founder Harvey Levin did not immediately respond to request for comment.