Auditions for the next series of Britain's Got Talent (BGT) have been cancelled following the death of former X Factor contestant and One Direction star Liam Payne. A statement posted on social media said the auditions in Blackpool had been halted.

Hours after news broke that Payne had fallen from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, his fans and collaborators shared their shock and grief.

The decision was confirmed by Applause Store, which handles ticketing for the talent competition show, on X the morning auditions were set to take place in England. “Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has decided to postpone today’s auditions in Blackpool,” the company wrote. “We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”