Paul Roberts, One Direction and Harry Styles’ Choreographer, Dies at 52 After Cancer Battle

Paul Roberts, known as a choreographer for One Direction and Harry Styles, has died. He was 52.

A joint Instagram post shared on Saturday, Sept. 27 on his official Instagram page by his partner Phil Griffin revealed Roberts had died one day prior after a battle with cancer.

“On the evening of 26th September 2025 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🤍,” the post read.

A rep for Roberts has not yet responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

The comments section of the post was filled with tributes from artists including Sam Smith, Emma Bunton and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Smith, 33, whose The Thrill of It All tour was choreographed by Roberts, wrote, “This is heartbreaking.”

“My thoughts and heart is with all of Paul’s family and friends at this hard time. Paul was a light in this world. I’ll never forget his kindness and his sparkle. His magic will never leave the people he loved. Paul is Everlasting 💛.” they added.

Meanwhile, Ellis-Bextor, 46, commented, “That is so sad. Paul was so special. So talented, yes, but also warm and sweet and thoughtful and fun. I’m so sorry to hear he’s not here any more. Sending lots of love to all who knew him.”

Bunton, 49, wrote, “My heart is broken 💔being in his company was my happy place. Thinking of you @thephilgriffin sending love to you and all his family. ❤️.”

Born in Lincolnshire, England, Roberts trained at The Urdang Academy in London and went on to perform both in the U.K. and internationally.

Along the way, he worked with Spice Girls. Katy Perry, Sir Paul McCartney, Prince, Diana Ross, Destiny’s Child, Ed Sheeran and Dolly Parton. 

Roberts worked with the Spice Girls on their 2019 reunion tour. He also joined forces with Styles for his “Treat People With Kindness” music video, which earned him an MTV VMA for Best choreography in 2021.

Roberts and Styles had previously worked together during One Direction’s tenure on music videos for 2012’s “Kiss You,” 2013’s “Best Song Ever” and 2014’s “Steal My Girl,”

In a 2021 interview with the BBC, Roberts opened up about working with the boy band.  

“It was always really interesting working with One Direction,” he said at the time.

Roberts added: “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,” he said. “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.”