Rita Ora leaves MTV EMA viewers in tears with 'beautiful' Liam Payne tribute

Rita Ora left MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) viewers in tears as she paid tribute to her friend and One Direction singer Liam Payne.

The Let You Love Me singer was hosting the EMAs which were being held in Manchester for the first time on Sunday night. And towards the end of the ceremony Rita gave a tearful tribute to Liam, who died after falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last month.

Rita, 33, had collaborated with Liam on the song For You, which featured on the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack.

READ MORE: "He had the biggest heart": Rita Ora pays touching tribute to Liam Payne at MTV EMAs in Manchester

She said: “I just want to take a moment to remember someone very, very dear to us. We lost him recently and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world.

“Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew.”

Rita added: “He had the biggest heart and was always the first person to offer help in any way that he could.

“He brought so much joy to every room he walked into and he left such a mark on the world.” An image of the singer was then shown on screens in the arena.

The emotional tribute left viewers watching the awards at home in tears. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, @nloves1d_ wrote: "I just broke down in tears while watching Rita Ora paying tribute to Liam Payne at the EMAs."

Meanwhile, @bllmnnmtll said: "I haven't cried in a while, but tears started to pour down my face listening to Rita Ora paying tribute to Liam thank you for remembering him and saying such kind word" and @appreciatednh added: "Aaaaand im crying again. Rita Ora spoke beautifully about Liam. Def happy I waited for it."

Following the news of Liam’s death last month, Rita paid tribute to Liam - who she