Fans have hit out at TV presenters for questioning one of Liam Payne's closest friends about his death - just moments after he found out.
News of the One Direction star's tragic and sudden passing broke on October 16.
At just 31 years old, Payne was reported dead after he tragically fell from a third-floor balcony at the Hotel CasaSur in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Despite authorities attending to the singer promptly, Payne's injuries were so severe that he was unable to be revived.
Fans and stars alike - including some of those closest to the former One Direction member - have since been sharing tributes to Payne.
One celebrity who described himself as being a close and good friend with Payne is Ant Middleton, the former SAS: Who Dares Wins star who first met Payne during the singer's appearance on his Sky show Straight Talking.
After the pair candidly opening up about their mental health, 44-year-old Middleton says he remained close with the singer, telling Australia's Channel 7 Sunrise show: "I speak to Liam quite often, he’s a good friend of mine."
Sadly, these comments came while Middleton was supposed to be speaking to presenters about the challenge of climbing the world’s second-highest mountain.
But during the segment, one of the hosts asked Middleton: "We know that you are here to talk about this other project, but we’re going to put that to one side for just a moment, because we have to get your thoughts on the news of Liam Payne. You’ve only just heard this news yourself.
"You recently spoke with Liam?"
Appearing totally unprepared for the conversation, Middleton - who was speaking remotely from a wooded area - said: "Yeah 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."
The host then said she was "so sorry" for his loss, as Middleton - again, visibly as a loss - said: "Um, and, wow. I don’t really know what to say about that. I’m going to have to make sure that I reach out to the relevant people to find out what’s happened to my good friend.
"But 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."
"He always, after we filmed Straight Talking with Ant Middleton, he was my first celebrity guest, and we formed a brotherhood," the SAS star said. "He was like a younger brother to me. He would confide in me, I’d go round and see him."
Speaking about Payne's wellbeing, Middleton described the singer as "confident", adding: "There were some issues there, but nothing that a young celebrity at his calibre wouldn’t suffer from.
"So I’m just shocked at the moment really, wow. Yeah. Don’t really know what to say."
The moment has left some viewers enraged, with people taking to the comments section of the show's YouTube channel to voice their disapproval.
"Those two new readers are unprofessional and should be ashamed!! You don’t quiz someone like that on air after they’ve just found out their friend died they didn’t come for that interview have some integrity," one one YouTube user.
A second added: "Australian network should be ashamed of themselves. This is horrible. I am extremely disappointed with the hosts."
A third added: "What a tactless way to share news to get a reaction from him. Just horrendous work."
"If that was my good friend, I’d walked off camera the moment they said that," a fourth commented.
"Those reporters have zero class," a fifth wrote, while a sixth commented: "That's seriously insensitive!"
Middleton has since paid tribute to Payne on X (formerly Twitter), writing alongside several photos of the two: "That was some sunset you captured there mate! A talented positive man with a good heart.
"I’m glad our friendship flourished and that I was someone you could confine in. 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".
During his time on Ant Middleton And Liam Payne: Straight Talking back in 2019, the singer bravely opened up about the mental health battles he had faced as a result of achieving such a high degree of fame so young.
He heartbreakingly admitted: "For some certain circumstances - I'm quite lucky to be here still, which is something I've never really shared with anyone.
"I can't go too deep into it because I don't know how I feel myself. I still haven't made my peace with it, to be honest."
"There's times where that level of loneliness and people getting into you every day," Payne continued. "Just every so often, you're like, when will this end? That's almost nearly killed me a couple of times."
At the time, Payne explained that he was able to push through so many of his struggles because he was surrounded by "really great people".
And explaining how he shifted his mindset, he told Middleton: "You've really got to change your view about it. There's only one thing you control in that situation, it's you.
"Just get on with it. Just do today.
"Get on with that bit, then there'll be another hurdle in a few months or a few weeks, or maybe even the next day. You never really know."
Our thoughts continue to go out to Payne's family, friends, and fans at this time.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
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