"He drew paintings of my dogs and I to put on the walls": Louis Tomlinson's ex gf Eleanor Calder pays heartfelt tribute to Liam Payne

Louis Tomlinson’s former girlfriend, Eleanor Calder, shared her tribute to Liam Payne on her Instagram Stories on October 18. Calder, 32, clarified before penning her message for Payne that she was uncertain about making a social media post on his tragic passing, reasoning:

"I usually navigate loss and grief privately but it feels strange not to"

She mentioned that the singer's death greatly impacted her and added:

"Over the past couple of years, Liam has been a huge support for me and I’d like to think I was for him too."

Eleanor Calder shared that Payne used to check up on her regularly to ensure her well-being and ask her how she was feeling. Talking about one of Liam Payne's "many examples of kindness and creativity," Calder stated:

"He drew paintings of my dogs and I to put on the walls — He said he hoped it would help with making it feel like home."

Eleanor Calder mourns former 1D member Liam Payne. (Image via Instagram/@eleanorcalder)

The 32-year-old singer said she would always wish the story of Payne's life ended on a different note.

As per CNN, Liam Payne, 31, died on Wednesday evening after falling from the 3rd-floor balcony of his hotel suite at Buenos Aires' CasaSur Palermo Hotel. According to police, Payne’s body was found after emergency services responded to a call from hotel staff where the pop star was staying in the Palermo neighborhood of the city.

Payne's fans, his One Direction bandmates, and other celebrities have taken to social media platforms to pay tribute to the artist after his untimely demise.

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Eleanor Calder shared a longstanding connection with Liam Payne's former bandmate Louis Tomlinson

Eleanor Calder had a close bond with One Direction member Louis Tomlinson. Rumors of their romance first became public in 2011, and in February 2013, they debuted on the red carpet as a couple. They dated till 2015 until their first breakup. Following their split, Tomlinson briefly got together with stylist Briana Jungwirth in May, and they welcomed their son Freddie the following year.

Tomlinson and Calder reconciled in 2017. In a 2020 conversation with The Sun, the former addressed the then-ongoing marriage rumors:

"Yeh I saw some of that. It isn't true, but the luxury with Eleanor is I've known her since before our first single What Makes You Beautiful, so she's felt the whole growth of everything."

Upon being asked whether the former couple were considering getting married, Tomlinson answered:

"One day, yeah, I'd imagine so. If you're asking me if I'm going to marry her? Yes, I think so! And more kids, I'd say so."

However, the couple broke up again before Christmas 2022.

Following Liam Payne's death, Tomlinson and the other One Direction members penned their heartbreaking tribute. He shared on Instagram that he was "beyond devastated" after losing "a brother." He further honored the late singer as "the most vital part of One Direction."

Tomlinson also left a thoughtful message for Liam's son Bear, reassuring the late 1D member:

"I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was."

Louis Tomlinson shared a screenshot on his Instagram Stories on October 18, where he was seen listening to Teardrops by Liam Payne on Apple Music.

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Liam Payne is survived by his son, parents, and his two sisters.