Amanda Holden praised Liam Payne for his kindness in speaking to “absolutely everybody” whenever he would make radio appearances.
The Heart FM Breakfast host disapproves of celebrities who overlook the crew at TV and radio stations. And while some stars make a “beeline” to the hosts, Amanda says Liam his time to speak to everyone, reports the Express.
Amanda also paid tribute to the 31-year-old former One Direction singer after he died when he fell from a third-floor hotel room on Wednesday. Payne was in Buenos Aires, having recently watched Niall Horan, a former bandmate, perform.
Amanda, 53, says she was “shocked” to hear the news. She then recalled the moment Payne appeared at the Heart Radio studios.
Speaking on Heart Breakfast, she said: “It was just absolutely shocking to hear the news last night. Such a young man, such an awful waste of life.”
“It’s funny, we were just talking about it and our producer was saying that when Liam came into Heart a few years ago, how brilliant he was. He spoke to absolutely everybody on the floor.”
“You know how some celebrities just beeline for the presenters, which I hate personally, he went in, he made an effort, he shook hands with everyone and spoke to absolutely everybody.”
Amanda added, paying her respects: “I think that is a real tribute to him. That just says who he was, I can’t believe it, I just can’t stop thinking about Cheryl, and their little boy Bear, and just the family, he is somebody’s son and I feel so bad for the family.”
Co-host Jason King said: “Instantly, from a father’s point of view, I think Bear is seven years old, and that’s what hits as well. It is such, such sad news on all accounts.”
In 2017, Payne welcomed his son Bear with then-partner Cheryl, a former member of Girls Aloud. The couple later parted ways, and he was in a relationship with influencer Kate Cassidy at the time of his death.
Investigations into Payne’s tragic death are ongoing, but there’s more clarity on the events surrounding the incident. Buenos Aires emergency services head Alberto Crescenti shared details today: “Our role was to head there quickly, give medical attention, and try to resuscitate him, but his injuries were incompatible with life. Based on what the team saw, there was apparently a cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death.”
Since the devastating news came out, fans have been gathering at the hotel where the incident occurred. The sorrow of admirers is evident through the floral tributes by the road and the candles lit during a spontaneously arranged vigil.
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