The singer died at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last month. Ora, 33, host of the ceremony in Manchester, was friends with Payne and had collaborated with the singer on the song For You, which featured on the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack. She said: “I just want to take a moment to remember someone very, very dear to us.
“We lost him recently and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world. “Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew.” Ora added: “He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could.
“He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and he left such a mark on the world.” An image of the singer was then shown on screens in the arena. Ora wore a plethora of outfits for her third time hosting the show, appearing in something different every time she was on stage.
Meanwhile, six-time Brit Award-winner Raye said she was “actually quite shocked” in a video which played on screen as she was announced as winner of best UK and Ireland act at the EMAs. The London singer performed at the ceremony, accompanied by a 30-strong choir and 13-piece live band, with her name in lights behind them, while she sang her hits, Escapism, and Body Dysmorphia. A recorded video message from Taylor Swift was played after she was announced as winner in the best live, best video and best artist categories.
The singer, who also won for best.
