AceShowbiz -

Liam Payne discussed his One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson who is expecting a baby with Los Angeles-based stylist Brianna Jungwirth. Speaking to Magic Radio's Jo Parkerson, Payne admitted he was shocked by the news but said Tomlinson was "very excited" about being a father.

"Well obviously I was a bit shocked but he's taken super well to it," Payne said. "And he's very excited with what's going on with him at the moment and I feel that stuff like that happens sometimes ... He's taking it very seriously." He also had good words for Jungwirth, "Yeah she's really nice, she's a lovely girl."

Payne also talked about former member Zayn Malik. "I haven't spoken to him recently and he's off doing his own thing and taking his time," he said, "It is a difficult thing to leave the band, but his heart wasn't in it and you have to go with your heart and say I can't do this anymore and there is something out there that I do want to do that is different, and that's fine."

"I'm dead excited to hear some of his stuff. I did a lot of work with him in the studio when he was in the band," Payne added. "We used to stay up late and do rap stuff which is quite interesting, 'cos I like to produce rap beats and stuff. He's got a great voice and he's a very talented young man and we wish him all the best of luck."

Asked if he's interested in following Malik's footsteps and pursuing a solo career, Payne replied, "I'm more interested in the writing side of things if I'm honest." He explained, "I like writing songs for different artists and crafting a song is a really beautiful thing to do - I sit down and do it with my girlfriend (Sophia Smith) sometimes and with a couple of lads that I know."