Former One Direction star Liam Payne is set to feature in a new Netflix singing competition, months on from his death at the age of 31.

He will appear as a guest judge in the new talent competition show, Building the Band, alongside Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland.

The show was one of the last projects Payne worked on before his death on 16 October following a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

His former partner Cheryl Cole, the mother to his son Bear, as well as fellow One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson were among those who attended his funeral in Buckinghamshire in November.

Building the Band brings together singers seeking to form their very own band, in a concept similar to Love is Blind as they are kept in separate booths without ever seeing each other.

According to the show’s synopsis: “All they have to go on is musical compatibility, connection, chemistry and merit… with incredible performances, compelling drama, and one big goal – to find the next great music band – the stage is set for an unforgettable experience.”

Backstreet Boys’ AJ Mclean will host the series, with Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger taking on the role of mentor and judge on the show, while Payne and Rowland will appear as guest judges.

Scherzinger was a judge on The X Factor when Payne auditioned in 2010 as a solo contestant, before being grouped with Styles, Horan, Malik and Tomlinson to form One Direction.

Netflix confirmed the release of Building the Band as it revealed a raft of new TV and film content for 2025 after being originally announced in September 2024, a month before Payne’s death.

An investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Argentina is continuing following his death at the Casa Sur Hotel.

Five people have been charged over his death, including the singer’s friend Roger Nores, the hotel’s manager, and a receptionist – who were all accused of manslaughter.

Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office previously said in a statement that a hotel employee and waiter have been charged with supplying cocaine.

A hearing to ascertain how Payne died, held at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court in December, has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on 6 November.