TMZ issues major update after publishing Liam Payne dead body photos

The One Direction star, aged 31, has died in Argentina after a fall from the third floor of a hotel while staying with his current girlfriend and partner.

TMZ has issued a major update after publishing photos of Liam Payne's dead body. The One Direction star, aged 31, has died in Argentina after a fall from the third floor of a hotel while staying with his current girlfriend and partner.

US media and gossip site TMZ sparked fury on Twitter, now X, over publishing photos of the Wolverhampton singer's body. 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." But after facing backlash on social media, TMZ removed the photos of Liam's body.

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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."

It comes after a backlash from furious fans. Rylan Clark, a BBC presenter and TV personality, 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.

TMZ previously sparked controversy came with its reporting of the 2020 helicopter crash that took the life of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, in addition to seven others. TMZ was first to report on the tragedy, breaking the story less than two hours after the crash.

Law enforcement criticized TMZ for reporting on the accident before the coroner’s office could confirm the identities of the victims and inform the families. Levin later claimed that TMZ had gotten approval from “Kobe’s people” to run the story.