English singer Zayn Malik has postponed a planned tour to the US following the death of his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne.

Zayn, as the singer often goes by, said on the social platform X that he made the decision, "given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week".

He said the dates for the US leg of his Stairway to the Sky tour would be rescheduled for January and he would announce the new dates within the coming days.

Zayn had gigs scheduled next week in San Francisco and Las Vegas, and the following week in Los Angeles, Washington DC and New York.

"Your tickets will remain valid for the new dates," Zayn wrote. 

"Love you all and thank you for your understanding."

Payne, 31, was found dead on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. 

His has death prompted an outpouring of shock and sadness from friends, collaborators and fellow musicians.

Payne 'born with music in his veins'

Payne's sister Ruth Gibbins was the latest to share her thoughts in an Instagram tribute.

"I don't believe this is happening. Many times have I poured my heart out publicly with pride about Liam but never much about life as his sister," she wrote.

She said her brother was "born with music in his veins" and what she loved most about him was his ability to make her laugh.

"I don't feel this world was good enough or kind enough to you," she wrote.

One Direction members in their teens had to cope with their sudden fame and then navigate a break-up while trying to build solo careers.

The exact circumstances of Payne's death remain unclear although Argentine authorities said there were suspicious elements and drugs were possibly involved. 

The results of toxicology tests are expected in the coming weeks. 

Payne had acknowledged struggling with alcoholism, saying in a YouTube video posted in July 2023 that he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment.

Mendes says 'world is crying for' Payne

Shawn Mendes has become the latest pop star to pay tribute to Payne, taking a moment in a Brooklyn show to remember "a beautiful soul".

"I just want to take a second to send so much love to him, wherever he is up there," he told the crowd. 

"We love you, and the world is crying for you, brother. And we're all praying for your son and your family. We miss you, man."

AP/ABC