Looking back on One Direction superstar Liam Payne’s time in Adelaide

As the world mourns One Direction superstar Liam Payne, we remember his time in Adelaide, including when fans confronted dangerous snakes to get a glimpse of their idol.

The news of British signer Liam Payne’s death has sent shockwaves around the world, including in Adelaide where the former One Direction member toured many times throughout his career.

While the world mourns the superstar’s death, we revisit his time in Adelaide.

The 31-year-old visited Adelaide twice during his time with One Direction in 2013 and 2015 after the group’s first Australian tour in 2012 where they played three shows in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

A year later, they kicked off the Australian leg of their Take Me Home tour with three sold-out shows at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre supported by Australia’s own 5 Seconds of Summer.

Courtney Marks, 14, Hannah Bransbury, 15, Hannah Kerr, 14 and Hannah Bakurski, 15 with their VIP passes to see 1D.

With a popularity rivalling Beatlemania, the group’s visit was drama-filled from the moment they arrived with hundreds of devoted Directioners left in tears after Payne, along with bandmates Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, secretly snuck out of Adelaide Airport.

Payne later issued an apology to their heartbroken fans who had spent hours waiting, tweeting: “Sorry we couldn’t stop in the airport they said it wasn’t safe ???? great to be in oz tho (sic).”

Fans waiting for One Direction to arrive at Adelaide Airport ahead of their concert. Photo Sam Wundke.

Undeterred fans later braved a dangerous snake habitat, camping outside the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort where the band was staying to catch a glimpse of their idols, ignoring signs outside warning of poisonous snakes and invading the “snake habitats” around the perimeter.

Taking to Twitter once again, Payne urged fans to leave the fields out of fear for their safety.

“Girls behind the hotel please get out the fields there’s a huge sign saying snake habitat it’s just not worth it someone’s gunna get hurt,” he posted.

However this did little to deter the group with Payne following up on his previous warning shortly after: “Are u not reading what I’m saying it's a SNAKE HABITAT TURN AROUND.”

One Direction fans camped outside the Novotel Barossa despite it being home to deadly snakes. Picture: Mike Burton jmopics

SA fan Alla Saveliev got photos with Liam Payne outside his hotel in the Barossa Valley. Pictures: Supplied

They returned again in 2015 for their On The Road Tour, playing shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, this time playing at AAMI stadium to over 20,000 fans.

Unbeknown to Aussie fans, this would be the last time the band would perform as a fivesome Down Under, with Malik exiting the group shortly afterwards.

Payne performing at the One Direction iHeartRadio Album Release Party in 2024. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel)

After releasing a final studio album together without Malik, each member went on to forge a solo a career with Payne releasing his debut album LP1 in 2019.

Just last week, it was reported the release of his much-anticipated second studio album was shelved.

Payne has been open about his mental health struggles throughout his career, revealing in 2023 that he had spent 100 days in a US wellness clinic after hitting rock bottom.

In a video posted to his official YouTube account shared in July last year, he announced that he was six months sober.

His sudden death comes six years after his last visit to Australia in 2018 when he performed at The Everest in Sydney.

Payne leaves behind 7-year-old son Bear Grey, who he shares with singer Cheryl Cole, and model girlfriend Kate Cassidy.