At first glance, the image appears to be another cherished snapshot of Kate Cassidy enjoying an evening out with her late partner, Liam Payne.

The former One Direction member is clad in a taupe suit, tenderly wrapping his arms around Kate, who strikes a pose in an elegant pink dress.

With his signature bright smile, Liam also flaunts his luxurious £30,000 Rolex Day-Date 40 watch.

However, this picture isn’t a nostalgic memory from before Liam’s tragic fall from a third-floor balcony in a Buenos Aires hotel at the age of 31, which occurred a year ago this Thursday.

Instead, this is an AI-generated image, part of a series of poignant digital creations that Kate, an American model and influencer, shared with her vast social media audience last week. She captioned them, ‘Thanks for making these. AI is such a blessing and a curse.’

They were posted on Instagram stories, which means they disappear after 24 hours.

But for those who knew Liam, it was yet another insensitive move by Kate, 26, who repeatedly mentions the late singer – something which has irked his close friends.

While some of Liam’s fans may take comfort from seeing new pictures of him (even if they aren’t real) those who were close to him have been left saddened and angered by Kate’s actions.

While some of Liam’s fans may take comfort from seeing new pictures of him (even if they aren’t real) those who were close to him have been left saddened and angered by Kate’s actions

For those who knew Liam, it was yet another insensitive move by Kate, 26, who repeatedly mentions the late singer – something which has irked his close friends

One of Liam’s former colleagues describes her decision to post them as ‘distasteful’ and ‘unhelpful’ to his family and loved ones.

‘Who does this?’ asked the friend. ‘Of course she is fully entitled to remember Liam, but this all feels a bit much. It’s surely triggering for those who loved Liam. There is some sympathy for Kate but creating a photo of them together so soon after his death is completely strange and also upsetting for so many who loved Liam.

‘His parents are normal people, a normal family who don’t play the fame game, they don’t have time for influencers or TikTokers. They saw what fame did to him and they don’t want any part of it. They will grieve their son for ever, privately.’

It is perhaps unsurprising that Liam’s friends now fear what stunt Kate might pull to mark the first anniversary of Liam’s death on Thursday – and the effects this could have on the star’s devastated parents.

Geoff and Karen Payne are expected to have a quiet day to mark the milestone along with their daughters Ruth and Nicola.

But there is, I’m told, ‘full expectation’ that Kate will go to town on social media to share her memories of Liam and her sorrow that he is no longer here.

‘The way they have dealt with Liam’s death couldn’t have been more of a contrast,’ mused one associate.

Kate was Liam’s final girlfriend. Their two-year relationship followed a number of romances after he became famous on The X Factor in 2010 when he won a place in One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan.

There was dancer Danielle Peazer, followed by model Sophia Smith. Then along came Cheryl Tweedy back in 2015. The couple had a son, Bear, who was just one when their three-year relationship ended in 2018.

One of Liam’s former colleagues describes her decision to post them as ‘distasteful’ and ‘unhelpful’ to his family and loved ones

Liam and Kate were first spotted together at a Halloween party in the US and went ‘Instagram-official’ shortly afterwards

Liam’s final Snapchat hours before he fell to his death from the hotel in Argentina (below)

Liam later became engaged to American heiress and model Maya Henry, but they split shortly before he met Kate in October 2022.

Liam and Kate were first spotted together at a Halloween party in the US and went ‘Instagram-official’ shortly afterwards.

There was a brief split in May 2023 but they reconciled, renting a luxury pad together in Miami and even adopting a dog in September 2024.

But while they became a common sight on the red carpet – posing at the British Fashion Awards, hands entwined at Netflix’s BAFTA awards afterparty – Liam’s parents barely knew Kate.

Friends tell me they first met her at their son’s funeral last November, which was held in Amersham, close to the singer’s main home in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire.

Sources tell me that the Payne family have a much closer bond with Cheryl, the mother of Liam’s eight-year-old son Bear.

While it is not known how Cheryl and Bear will mark the anniversary, I am assured that Cheryl has been ‘the very best mother’ in protecting her beloved son as they navigate life without Liam.

‘It is going to be a terribly sad day,’ one associate of Liam’s tells me. ‘His death is absolutely tragic and in the eyes of his family was one that could have been avoided.

‘There are so many “what ifs” about his passing and that is a difficult thing for all of those who loved Liam to get their head around.

‘I don’t know how you ever get over that. He has left behind a little boy who adored him, it’s devastating.’

One of those ‘what ifs’ is how things may have been different had Kate not left Liam in Buenos Aires to return to Miami, where the couple were living, three days before he fell to his death. She insists she went back to care for their rescue dog Nala. In her absence, he took a cocktail of drugs at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel before he died.

Five people in Argentina were charged in connection with his death, with the hotel’s manager Gilda Martin and its receptionist Esteban Grassi, as well as Payne’s friend Roger Nores, accused of manslaughter, while Ezequiel Pereyra – who also worked at the hotel – and Braian Paiz, a waiter, were charged with supplying drugs. The charges against Martin, Grassi and Nores have since been dropped.

‘Kate has explained why she went home,’ says a friend. ‘But for Liam’s nearest and dearest, it’s still hard to get their head around. She wasn’t to know what would happen after she left, but if she had stayed, maybe, just maybe Liam would be here today.’

According to sources who know Liam’s circles, Kate has done little to ingratiate herself with them since his death thanks to her regular social media updates, which at times, have left them aghast.

It’s fair to say that Kate has ensured that her publicity levels have remained high since Liam died last year – with some suggesting she has cashed in on his death by making lucrative deals with the media. She received a five-figure fee from The Sun newspaper to talk about her grief.

In contrast, the Paynes have never spoken publicly about their loss.

Then there was the day Kate moved out of the London flat rented by Liam which she had retreated to following his death.

She was seen looking forlorn in photographs, clutching a huge soft toy as she watched her suitcases being loaded into a waiting taxi.

Kate looking forlorn, clutched a huge soft toy as she watched her suitcases being loaded into a waiting taxi

Kate once again caused a stir when she shared unseen photos of Liam on Instagram. One snap was of the couple at a wedding 

It later emerged that Geoff and Karen had politely asked Kate to leave the property – a clue that there was no love lost between them.

And the assumption within Team Liam was that Kate was well aware that there would be a photographer there, ready to catch her heartbreaking departure.

Back in March, as she celebrated her 26th birthday, Kate once again caused a stir when she shared unseen photos of Liam on Instagram, writing alongside them: ‘Thankful for another year, and reflecting on the beauty of 25 – it’s a chapter that will always be a part of me. Here’s to 26.’

One snap was of the couple at a wedding, another was of them at Disneyland. The week before, she’d filmed a TikTok video as she looked through her possessions from around the time of Liam’s death.

These included a yellow gown and a pair of white stilettos – which she had worn to a wedding with Liam in August.

The influencer filmed a TikTok video as she looked through her possessions from around the time of Liam’s death 

Model Damian Hurley, the son of Liz, was at Kate’s side at Liam’s funeral in November last year

The discovery of these items made Kate emotional as she recalled the wedding, and spoke of ‘dancing the night away’ with him.

It’s not the first time Kate has taken to sharing her private moments with Liam.

Indeed, just three days after his death, she posted a cherished note from him that read: ‘Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged & together forever 444. Liam.’

She added: ‘I know we’ll be together for ever, but not in the way we had planned. You’ll always be with me. I’ve gained a guardian angel.’

While nobody can deny her heartbreak, friends of Liam are questioning the way she has channelled her grief into raising her own profile.

‘Nobody has a problem with Kate being upset at Liam dying, but every time she shares a picture or video of him it helps her brand, gets her new followers. All those things help make someone’s profile bigger and bigger,’ says a former associate of the singer.

Since Liam’s death, Kate has set up her own account with brand creator Golden Child where she sells her favourite clothes and accessories such as Dior and Chanel handbags and Celine sunglasses.

In return, she gets a cut from the brands. She also appears to be enjoying life in Miami where she posts about enjoying lavish dinners with friends.

Meanwhile, she is being supported through her grief by model Damian Hurley, the son of Liz Hurley.

He was at her side at Liam’s funeral in November last year, which came as a surprise to the singer’s fans. Loyal Damian regularly comments on Kate’s Instagram posts, often with a mere red heart emoji.

‘Nobody blames Kate for Liam’s death,’ says one source. ‘On the contrary, she was at his side in his last two years during which he had some very happy times.

‘But Liam’s anniversary should be about Liam, a day to respectfully remember him.’