Liam Payne’s family and stars from across the music world have paid tribute to the former One Direction star following his death in a hotel in Argentina.

“We are devastated. Liam will live on forever in our hearts and we will remember him for his kind, funny and courageous soul,” his family said in a statement on Thursday.

Doctors confirmed the 31-year-old’s death after he fell from a balcony in the courtyard of the CasaSur hotel in Buenos Aires’ Palermo district.

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Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary shared an Instagram photo of him and a teenage Payne on stage, describing him as “a joy” who “had time for everyone, was polite, grateful and always humble”.

He added: “The worst news. I remember him as a 14-year-old auditioning for The X Factor and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.”

Others who remembered him included Ronnie Wood, the guitarist for the Rolling Stones, who recalled joining Payne and One Direction for a performance of the boy band’s song Where Do Broken Hearts Go on The X Factor in 2014 .

“I am shocked and saddened by the passing of Liam Payne. It was a pleasure working with him on our X Factor performance,” Wood wrote on Instagram.

Grammy-winning pop star Charlie Puth, who co-wrote Payne’s 2017 solo track Bedroom Floor, mourned Payne as a “great artist.”

“I’m in shock right now,” Puth wrote in a series of Instagram stories with a photo of the pair together in the studio. “Liam was always so nice to me. He was one of the first great artists I had the pleasure of working with. I can’t believe he’s gone…I’m so upset right now, may he rest in peace.’

BBC Radio 1 listeners heard Greg James open his breakfast show on Thursday morning by telling listeners that the news was “unbearably sad” to wake up to and that he would deal with it with them.

“It may be the first time that someone you idolized has died and that’s very strange when you think about it. So go easy on yourself today because it’s a shock and destabilizing,” he told Payne’s fans.

“Even though you may not have known Liam Payne personally, we do have parasocial relationships where we know these people to some extent and they are part of our lives, and when they’re gone it’s strange to deal with to go.”

Singer Olly Murs, who starred on The X Factor a year before One Direction, said on Instagram that he was “at a loss for words” and described Payne’s death as “devastating”.

“We always had a good laugh when we saw each other, sometimes the conversations were short and sweet, but when we did it was mainly about how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF (X Factor ) days and the tour we shared together,” Murs wrote alongside a photo of him and Payne.

Among the collaborators who paid their respects was German DJ Zedd, who made the song Get Low with Payne in 2017 and said on X: “I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking.”

The rapper Juicy J, who was featured on an unreleased demo titled You, wrote: “RIP Liam Payne, wow I can’t believe it, praying for the family.”

Lou Teasdale, a hair and makeup artist who worked extensively with One Direction during the tour, said on X: “Sending so much love to you all.”

Irish pop duo Jedward, who competed on The X Factor a season before One Direction, wrote on X: “RIP Liam Payne condolences to friends and family”.

They also posted a follow-up message sending strength to Payne’s family, including his former partner and X Factor judge Cheryl and their seven-year-old son Bear.

Musicians and friends from outside the X Factor world also paid tribute. “So upsetting to hear the news,” Paris Hilton tweeted. “I send love and condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP my friend.”

Author EL James said she was “heartbroken”. Payne had previously contributed the song For You with Rita Ora to the soundtrack of Fifty Shades Freed, the film adaptation of the final book in James’ Fifty Shades trilogy.

British pop star Mabel posted on her Instagram Story: “For years I always knew I could call you for support and great brotherly advice, but now you’re gone.”

She continued: “My thoughts and prayers are with Liam’s family and friends during this time you will be so missed.”