Liam Payne death leaves Lorraine Kelly ‘heartbroken’ as she recalls first interview with young One Direction star

LORRAINE Kelly says she has been left “heartbroken” by Liam Payne’s death as she recalled her first interview with the One Direction star.

The 31-year-old singer was in Argentina for pal Niall Horan’s tour when he tragically plunged from the third floor of a hotel yesterday afternoon.

Tributes have poured in from both distraught fans and other big names in the music industry, such as Zedd, Charlie Puth and Rylan Clark.

Liam was just 14 when he first tried his luck on the X Factor in 2008.

After being sent home, he returned two years later and ended up landing a spot in One Direction.

Daytime TV star Lorraine interviewed 15-year-old Liam after he missed out on making the finals of the singing show.

Speaking on her programme this morning, she told US correspondent Ross King: “I was genuinely shocked when I saw this, it’s absolutely tragic.

“I can’t stop thinking about his wee boy Bear, his mum Cheryl is going to have to break the news to him. He’s only seven.

“He was a very devoted dad and he talked about his son all the time too. He had so much to live for.”

In an interview from 2008, Lorraine tells Liam: “You’re only 15 and you’ve dealt with all of this with huge maturity, you really have.”

He replies: “I don’t really get that nervous about doing different things, I enjoy it so much. I love singing.”

Scottish popstar and presenter Tallia Storm also paid tribute to Liam following his death.

Sharing a photo with the boyband member on Instagram, she wrote: “One of the loveliest people I met at the start of my journey.

“Life is so incredibly precious. Sending love and deepest condolences to Liam’s family and loved ones, especially Cheryl and his son Bear.

“I cannot even believe this tragic news. Devastating.

“Let’s all hold our loved ones even closer tonight. Thinking of the entire family.”

Sharing a photo of Liam online, A Place in the Sun star Danni Menzies added: “31. This is so terribly sad.”

Meanwhile, Scots singer Nina Nesbitt said Liam was “a joy to be around”.

She added: “Last night I came off stage to find out the deeply saddening and tragic news about Liam Payne.

“It’s hard to believe it’s real.

“Liam was a joy to be around and always so supportive of me and other upcoming artists.

“I’m sending my thoughts and so much love to his family and friends.”

Liam was staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo in Buenos Aires – where crowds of fans flocked to pay their respects as news of the singer’s death spread.

The spokesperson for the local ambulance service said Liam was tragically declared dead at the scene after he fell and suffered severe injuries.

Alberto Crescenti said: “The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at CasaSur.

“At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead.

“There was no possibility of resuscitating him.”

Liam had shared a post on Snapchat only minutes before his death showing himself with girlfriend Kate Cassidy looking into a mirror.