Zayn Malik's touching on-stage tribute to One Direction bandmate Liam Payne leavesfans sobbing

Zayn Malik made a touching on-stage gesture following the funeral of One Direction bandmate Liam Payne.

After performing a concert in Leeds, Zayn left a blue screen as he vacated the stage. It read 'Liam Payne 1993-2024 Love you bro' above a pink heart. Zayn's stage included trees on either side of the sign, decorated in fairy lights.

Many fans sobbed. Videos showed the moment unfold as fans could be heard weeping. "U could hear the crowd crying in the live streams bro," wrote one fan on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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They attempted to sing through the tears as Zayn's song, Stardust, played in the background. "Stardust playing and the fans crying in the background. I'm a mess," wrote a fan.

Zayn's has struggled in the past with on-stage anxiety, especially following his departure from One Direction. While he continued to put out music after stepping away from the boyband, he declined to perform live and, previously, has cancelled events over mental ill-health.

Before Liam's death, Zayn announced a fresh set of tour dates, vowing to overcome his fear. A month after the tragic incident, Zayn set off on his tour, starting in Leeds.

Recognising the struggles Zayn faced in making it to his first tour, a fan wrote: "What a beautiful First show and Zayn was amazing and his vocals omg but then leave this tribute just make me cry all over my prayer are with Zayn tonight as he tour too."

Another added: "i just know he was thinking about him for the whole show. yall don't realize how hard it is to perform in such time. may God help him."