X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was texting Liam Payne the day he died

One of the X Factor judges responsible for creating boy band phenomenon One Direction was texting Liam Payne the day he died.

X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger who came up with the idea of bringing together Liam Payne with his fellow contestants to perform One Direction was texting him on the day he died.

Scherzinger, a former Pussycat Doll, is currently starring in Broadway musical Sunset Blvd and the revelation she was communicating with Payne came from the production’s composer – the famed Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Liam Payne, Kelly Rowland and Nicole Scherzinger were filming together just weeks before his death. Picture: Instagram

“On the Wednesday when he died, she was still texting him that day,” Webber told Billboard.

“(That night) the reviewers came in (to watch Sunset Blvd), she’d just heard that he died.

“And the fact that she even did the show at all is extraordinary. I mean she is an amazing, amazing woman.”

Scherzinger took to Instagram on Friday to share her own tribute to Payne who she was set to appear alongside in upcoming Netflix show Building the Band.

The pair had just wrapped filming on the series, which also stars Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child and AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys.

The trio had a great time filming before the tragedy. Picture: Instagram

“I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago,” Scherzinger said.

“It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently. We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had.

“It’s been so hard to process that you’re no longer here, but I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character.

“You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you. I will miss you my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.”

Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell were the architects behind One Direction.

Behind the scenes footage filmed during the 2010 season of X Factor UK shows it was Scherzinger’s idea to team up Payne with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan.

“They’re just too talented to get rid of and they’ve got just the right look and the right charisma on stage,” Scherzinger said to fellow judge Simon Cowell.

“I think they’ll be really great in a boy band together.”

“They’re like little stars. You can’t get rid of little stars. You put them all together.”

The revelation comes as the hotel where pop star Liam Payne died has been raided by police looking for information on alleged “drug-dealing staff”.

Payne died at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires after falling from his third floor balcony last week. The star was killed instantly from massive internal and external injuries while an autopsy report showed he had a toxic mixture of drugs in his system at the time of his death.

Liam Payne died aged 31 after plunging from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last week. Picture: AFP

Police raided the hotel looking for information about staff members who allegedly sold Payne the drugs he took before his tragic death also saying the luxurious hotel “must provide” more security camera footage from the day the pop star plunged to his death at age 31.

According to a report in The Sun, officers were seen going through documents and examining computers in the hotel lobby.

Police believe Payne was smuggled drugs hidden in a Dove soap box and were last week said to be probing two hotel staff including a cleaner.

Police have raided the hotel where Liam Payne died. Picture: Supplied

Police are reportedly investigating staff at the hotel. Picture: Supplied

Prosecutors said in a statement they believe Payne was “in a state of semi or total unconsciousness” during a substance-induced episode when he fell to his death.

Investigators have indicated they do not suspect any “third-party” involvement but have said the hunt is still on for a possible dealer.

They want more CCTV footage around the time of Payne’s death and were conducting forensic searches on mobile phones, computers, and other devices.

Police said they were trying to piece together the pop star’s final hours and were speaking to people at the hotel.

Police have also requested more CCTV footage from the day Liam Payne died. Picture: Supplied

Payne had been in Buenos Aires for his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s tour, but he stayed weeks longer than expected. His girlfriend Kate Cassidy had returned to the US two days before his death.

Payne told one fan just an hour before his death that he loved Buenos Aires so much he wanted to buy a house there. Payne’s girlfriend also revealed the pair planned to marry next year in a touching tribute to the late star.

The influencer, who dated the singer for two years before his death, shared new photos of the couple on Instagram which included a note from Payne.

Another one of the last people to see Payne alive said they witnessed his erratic behaviour around 4.30pm. He died shortly after.

Liam Payne died after falling from a third floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Picture: Supplied

According to reports, Payne had smashed his laptop and had to be carried back to his room following an erratic incident earlier in the day.

A source has revealed Payne was trying to get off drugs and had been given an all-clear on a drugs test before his death.

“Liam had tried really hard to get clean, then he’s been preyed upon,” the source said.

“These people just care about money – they don’t care about putting people’s lives in danger.

“It’s an evil trade. This is all just tragic.”

Liam Payne with girlfriend Kate Cassidy who said the couple planned to get married. Picture: Instagram

In Snapchat posts shared shortly before his death, but seemingly filmed days earlier, he spoke about riding horses, playing polo, and looking forward to returning home to see his dog.

“It’s a lovely day here in Argentina,” he said in one.

But at some point, things took a tragic turn and the hotel’s reception manager frantically called police telling them that Liam was under the influence of drink and drugs and had trashed his room.

The receptionist called emergency services saying: “We have a guest who is destroying everything in his room. We need someone to come.

“They must be in a room that has a balcony. And well, we’re a little bit worried he’ll do something, that he’ll put his life at risk.”

Payne’s sister Lottie, a 26-year-old make-up artist and influencer has paid tribute to her brother, sharing a reel to her social media. “Home with a heavy heart. RIP Liam,” she wrote. “You were loved by so many and will be so greatly missed. Sending so much love to everyone.”

Originally published as X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was texting Liam Payne the day he died