Paul Roberts dead: One Direction and Steps choreographer, 52, dies after cancer battle

A much-loved choreographer known for working with One Direction and Steps has tragically died aged 52.

Paul Roberts has been hailed as "one of the most kindest and beautiful souls" by a whole horde of devastated celebrities paying tribute after his family shared the heartbreaking news of his death online.

The dance expert died at home on Friday evening surrounded by his family after being diagnosed with cancer.

On his official Instagram page, his friends and family paid tribute as they wrote: "Yesterday evening. after a courageous battle with cancer, Paul passed away gently at home, surrounded by his family. His departure, much like his life, was filled with grace RIP."

Among those to pay tribute was Strictly star Layton Williams, who wrote: "One of the kindest most beautiful souls. Was an honour to know and have worked for you Paul. Sleep well beautiful man."

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While Kimberley Walsh commented: "This is the saddest news I’m so so sorry @thephilgriffin. Paul was very special indeed. Sending you all my love."

Louis Tomlinson's sister Lottie also shared a heartbroken emoji, while Steps' Ian 'H' Watkins wrote: "Devastated. What an incredible human Paul was. Sending [tons] of love."

Most recently, Paul had worked with Harry Styles on his Treat People With Kindness music video, which landed him and rest of the team with a VMA for Best Choreography in 2021. He wrote at the time: "KINDNESS WINS!!

"Wow, huge news to wake up too. I can’t believe we’ve won a Moon Man @vmas #tpwk #bestchoreography You really loved our dance! Thank you so much for all the messages - I will get around to replying, probably after a margarita or two. We must celebrate, I’m all giddy. For the love of dance."

He previously spoke to the BBC about how it was filmed shortly before the Covid pandemic, saying: "Looking back it was about three weeks before the world started to burn. Maybe that's partly why people are loving it now - the video has such a carefree sense to it."

During his 25 years in the industry, Paul has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including devising choreograhy for One Direction videos such as Best Song Ever and Kiss You.

In an interview with the BBC in 2021, he said: "It was always really interesting working with One Direction. I knew very early on that there was a magic about them and I could see they had other skill-sets aside from being this very good-looking five-piece, and then four-piece, band.

"In personal moments you got to see them flourish. They'd mess around doing silly dance moves but I'd think, 'Actually if you wanted to dance really well you sure as hell could do it.'"

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