Dame Denise Lewis has penned a heartbreaking tribute to Liam Payne after his tragic death at the age of 31 and shared unseen pictures of the star.
The heptathlete, 52, is married to Steve Finan – who was Liam’s manager for several years – and she has been regarded by some as the former One Direction star’s ‘fairy godmother’.
Denise and Steve were at Liam’s side through some of his most difficult times – including his fall-out with Cheryl – and he would often stay at their home as they battled to keep him sober.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Denise shared an emotional tribute to Liam with a collection of photos of the pair over the years – and wrote that his ‘dark storms’ have now passed.
Denise thanked the late singer for ‘being so sweet’ with her children and said he was ‘more loved than you could grasp’.
‘Okay. Here goes….’ she wrote. ‘I know it’s real and you’re not coming back. So here’s to you – the real you.
‘Kind, funny, annoyingly daft but more talented than you believed, more loved than you could grasp.
‘The dark storms have passed and all that is ahead of you is sunshine. You deserve that.’
She added: ‘Thank you for being so sweet with my kids, the big kid in you always knew what to say to make them laugh. Rest well bab… Wolvo & the world weep.’
Speaking to the Mail’s Katie Hind, a source said of Denise and Liam’s bond: ‘Liam adored Denise. She mothered him and really tried to support him.’
In snaps shared by Denise, Liam was seen enjoying days out golfing with her family and attending birthday parties.
He was also seen in a picture with Denise’s 22-year-old daughter Lauren as they posed with singer Rita Ora.
His label Universal Music Group tribute read: ‘We are devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne.
‘His legacy will live on through his music and the countless fans he inspired and who adored him. We send our deepest condolences to Liam’s family and loved ones.’
It was revealed hours later that Liam had been dropped by the record label days before his death.
Originally signed to Sony as part of One Direction, Liam penned a deal with Capitol Records, a label owned by Universal, in July 2016 when he launched his solo career at just 22 years old.
Liam was said to have been ‘thrilled’ when he signed to Capitol in what was understood to have been a very lucrative deal.
The label is a subsidiary of Universal, but in the company’s recent reshuffle he came under the main label.
Meanwhile, it was also revealed that Liam’s PR resigned earlier this month, which left him without any publicity representation.
The resignation came as Liam’s ex-fiancé Maya Henry began legal proceedings against the singer after accusing him of repeatedly contacting her.
One source said: ‘It is like all of Liam’s music career that he had built up since he went solo eight years ago was crumbling, there was very little left for him.
‘It must have absolutely devastated him.’
