HARRY Styles fans reckon his brand new tattoo is a poignant tribute to his late 1D bandmate Liam Payne.
It came just days after the Aperture hitmaker, 32, on the dad of one’s passing.
Eagle-eyed Harry Styles fans were quick to spot the star’s new tattoo as he took his place in the audience on Saturday Night LiveCredit: Getty
Fans reckon his new inking is a tribute to his 1D star bandmate, the late Liam PayneCredit: Getty
Harry, 32, now has the word Slinky on his armCredit: Getty
, who was in the group with Liam from 2010 to 2016, said living his life “to the fullest” is the best way he can “honour” his friend.
at a hotel in Argentina in October 2024 – 14 years after finding fame on .
Now eagle-eyed viewers have spotted Harry in the crowd of US TV show Saturday Night Live donning a surprise new inking on his right arm.
He wore a black short-sleeve top with a smiley face and the words I Hate You emblazoned on it.
Yet fans were more interested in the swirling writing etched in black in, on his upper arm which spelled out the word Slinky.
One fan took to TikTok to muse: “Harry Styles’ slinky tattoo that people suspect harry got in honour of Liam Payne’s love for Toy Story”.
Slinky is a much-loved spring dog that features in the Disney Pixar movies, and is a loyal pal to protagonist Woody.
Another user then commented: “He loved him so much”.
One mused: “And that’s the arm that he said was going to be only for his family…. (he said that years ago it may not even be true anymore but it’s cute)”.
A fan then posted: “He loved him so much”.
One then surmised: “If this is true, thats such an intimate tattoo like he didn’t get Liam’s name or do dates or anything like that, he chose to put his favourite movie character on the arm he is saving for his kids instead in his memory”.
Harry, 32, was put into the One Direction group with Liam, , 32, , 33, and , 34, and they spent the next five years releasing five albums and touring the world.
Reflecting on the bond he formed with Liam, he said he was a “super special person” and is still “really sad” about his death.
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenterreacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as , has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, , who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”
Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.
She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.
Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.
In a recent interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music this afternoon, he explained: “It’s difficult to lose any friend, but it’s so difficult to lose a friend who is so like you in so many ways.
“It’s like, I saw someone with the kindest heart who just wanted to be great.
“It was a really important moment for me in terms of taking a look at my life and being able to say to myself, ‘OK, what do I want to do with my life? How do I want to live my life?’
“And I think the greatest way you can honor your friends who pass away is by living your life to the fullest.”
But Harry said he struggled to grieve because he felt like everyone was waiting for him to make a public statement in the days after he died, as millions of fans came to terms with the news.
He explained: “I think there was a period when he passed away where I really struggled with kind of acknowledging how strange it is to have people kind of own part of your grief, in a way.
“I have such strong feelings around my friend passing away.
“And then suddenly being, you know, like aware that there’s maybe a desire from other people of you to convey that in some way, or it means you’re not feeling what you’re feeling or something, you know?”
Toy Story character Slinky is believed to have been one of Liam’s favouritesCredit: Handout
The pair were put together in the X Factor boybandCredit: Getty
Harry recently spoke candidly about Liam’s passing – and the impact on his lifeCredit: Getty
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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