Liam Payne will feature in a new Netflix talent competition series as a guest judge alongside Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland, which will air months on from his death.
Building The Band, which brings together singers to form bands without seeing each other, was announced in September by the streaming giant, before Payne died aged 31 on October 16 following a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Netflix confirmed that Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger will take on the mentor and judge role, while Payne and Rowland will appear as guest judges in the show, which features a similar concept to Love Is Blind with contestants kept in separate booths.
The streaming giant confirmed the release as it revealed its 2025 slate of releases across TV and film.
Scherzinger was a judge on The X Factor when Payne auditioned in 2010 and helped to form boy band One Direction on the show.
Pounds later delayed the release of the new music, citing wanting Payne’s “family to mourn in peace and in prayer”.
In November, Payne’s funeral took place in Buckinghamshire and was attended by Cheryl, the mother to his son Bear, as well as fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Argentina is continuing to investigate the circumstances around Payne’s death at the Casa Sur Hotel.
Five people were later charged over his death, including the singer’s friend Roger Nores, the hotel’s manager, and a receptionist – who were all accused of manslaughter.
An hearing was held by Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court in December to ascertain how Payne died.
It has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on November 6.
Nores has made a legal complaint in the US against Payne’s father, Geoff Payne – claiming “false” sworn declarations to Argentine officials.
Court documents filed in Florida in January claim the pair had a “dear mutual friendship” but insisted he “never had a legal duty of care” towards him.
