A WORCESTERSHIRE pop star revealed her "heart is breaking" after finding out her fellow X-Factor contestant has died.

Cher Lloyd has gone to social media to share her sadness after the death of former One Direction band member Liam Payne.

Liam, aged 31, fell from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of Argentina, a PA statement revealed.

The star's first claim to fame was when he appeared on The X Factor in 2010 with the band One Direction. 

He competed alongside Malvern's very own Cher Lloyd, who has paid tribute to her fellow singer on Instagram. 

The star wrote: "From being on the show together, visiting each other's homes while filming, going on tour together and watching you achieve your dreams.

"I'll cherish the memories made and the laughs we had.

""My thoughts are with you and your family and friends, with everyone who loves you.

"My heart is breaking for your son Bear.

"Rest in peace, Liam."

Liam was one of five One Direction members, along with Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles.

Associated Press said police responded to an emergency call from the hotel manager, who had become concerned for his welfare.

Other former X-Factor contestants have also shared their sadness following his death.

Singer Olly Murs, who starred on The X Factor a year before One Direction, said he was "lost for words", describing Payne's death as "devastating" on Instagram.

READ MORE: Did Liam Payne have a baby with Cheryl? When the X Factor stars first met

Olly said they "always had a good laugh" when they met, mostly talking about "how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF [X Factor] days and the tour we shared.

"Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams, so to see his life now end so young hits hard. I'm truly gutted and devastated for his family and, of course, his son Bear losing a dad."

Dermot O'Leary, who hosted The X Factor when Liam appeared, posted a photograph of the pair on stage on Instagram, captioning the post: "The worst news."

"I remember him as a 14-year-old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing," he wrote.