Cheryl Cole pays tribute to her ex-boyfriend Liam Payne as she opens up on what troubles her the most

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA: Cheryl Cole, ex-girlfriend of Liam Payne, has spoken out for the first time since his tragic death at the age of 31.

Payne, who was 31, died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16.

Cheryl Cole's emotional tribute to Liam Payne

In an emotional statement shared on Instagram on Friday, October 18, Cheryl Cole expressed her grief while paying tribute to Liam Payne as a father, son, and friend.

The former Girls Aloud member posted a photo of Payne holding their then-infant son, Bear, alongside a heartfelt message.

“As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” wrote Cole.

She emphasized that he was not only a pop star, but also “a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our seven-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”

Cheryl Cole criticizes media reports on Liam Payne's death

Speaking about what troubles her the most, Cheryl Cole wrote, "What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days."

"It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in the future," she continued.

"I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces," Cole added.

Urging people to respect Payne's dignity, she concluded, "Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last."

Payne and Cole began dating in 2016 after first meeting in 2008 when Payne auditioned for 'The X Factor UK' where Cole was a judge.

The pair welcomed their son Bear in March 2017, but split in 2018, according to Daily Mail.

Liam Payne's tragic death

Liam Payne died on Wednesday evening, October 16, after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Authorities were dispatched to the hotel after receiving a 911 call reporting an aggressive man, possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to the Buenos Aires City Police.

Upon their arrival, the hotel’s manager informed officers that he had heard a loud noise coming from the internal courtyard where Payne was later found dead.

A preliminary autopsy confirmed that Payne suffered multiple traumatic injuries, including internal and external hemorrhaging.

A toxicology report is still pending to determine if substances were involved.