Liam Payne's unlikely bond with Russell Brand: Disgraced comedian who took singer to AA meetings with bin men in working men's clubs releases bizarre tribute to 1D star Follow all the latest Liam Payne updates with MailOnline after singer's death Follow all the latest Liam Payne updates with MailOnline after singer's death By Megan Howe Published: 12:17 BST, 18 October 2024 | Updated: 12:45 BST, 18 October 2024 e-mail 2 View comments Former One Direction star Liam Payne had spoken frequently about his struggles with alcohol and drugs in the years prior to his sudden death this week. The 31-year-old star plunged 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Argentina's capital on Wednesday, before medics confirmed his death. But perhaps less well known, was the singer's unlikely bond with disgraced comedian and actor Russell Brand .
The pair struck up a friendship after attending AA meetings together back in 2019. They also bonded over fatherhood following the birth of Payne's son Bear in March 2017 and Brand's daughter Mabel in November 2016. Speaking about the pop star's tragic death, Brand posted a bizarre and somewhat impersonal video about addiction.
He referred to Payne without using his name directly, stating his death was 'sorrowful', but also an opportunity for 'reflection'. The Get Him To The Greek actor said: 'Whenever a high-profile drug addict or alcoholic dies and you have a sense there might be a connection to their disease and their deat.
