Liam Payne’s friend found out about singer’s death seconds before being asked about it on live TV

Liam Payne’s close friend Ant Middleton found out about the singer’s tragic death just seconds before going on live TV.

During Wednesday’s episode of Australia’s Channel 7 morning show “Sunrise,” Middleton, who filmed the documentary “Ant Middleton & Liam Payne: Straight Talking” with the former One Direction singer in 2019, honored his late pal on air.

“I speak to Liam quite often, he’s a good friend of mine. And, wow, I’m shocked, this is obviously the first I’m hearing of it,” he said.

The British adventurer, 44, added that he didn’t “really know what to say” about Payne’s death but that he was going to “reach out to the relevant people to find out what’s happened to my good friend.”

“I’m away filming at the moment, as you can see, that’s why I’m wet and there’s a bit of noise around me. But yeah, my condolences and I hope they find out what’s gone on,” Middleton said.

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The “Zero Negativity: The Power of Positive Thinking” author said he considered the pop star a “younger brother” after he became the first celebrity guest on Middleton’s docuseries.

“After we filmed ‘Straight Talking with Ant Middleton,’ we formed a brotherhood. He was like a younger brother to me. He would confide in me, I’d go ’round and see him,” he continued.

Middleton said Payne did exhibit “some issues,” but he said it was “nothing that a young celebrity [of] his caliber wouldn’t suffer from.”

He added: “He had a lovely aura around him, he was a lovely guy, he had positive energy around him. He was a visionary, he always thought and dreamed big and that’s why he got to where he was.

“He was loved. He was one of those band members that was the glue, I believe, for One Direction. It’s a shame to see such a positive individual die so young.”

Middleton also honored his late pal on X , writing that Payne was a “talented positive man with a good heart.”

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“I’m glad our friendship flourished and that I was someone you could confine in,” he tweeted alongside four pics of him with Payne.

“Your turn to look over me now bro! Luv ya and will miss you sorely… My sincere condolences to @LiamPayne family during these unimaginable times #restinpeacebrother.”

Payne died on Wednesday after falling from his third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31.

Moments before his death, the “X Factor” alum was acting erratically in the hotel lobby before he was carried back up to his room.

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Drugs and alcohol were found in Payne’s hotel room after his fall, including pieces of aluminum foil, lighters and a white powdery substance.

Prior to his death, Payne previously opened up about how he experienced “suicidal ideation” during his time in One Direction.

“I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where’s rock bottom for me? And you would never have seen it. I’m very good at hiding it,” he said on the “Diary of a CEO” podcast in 2021. “No one would ever have seen it.”

Payne added that his issues were “really, really, really severe.”

“It was a problem. And it was only until I saw myself after that I was like, ‘Right, I need to fix myself.'” he shared.

Payne is survived by his son, Bear Grey , 7, whom he shared with his ex Cheryl Cole.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

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