Liam Payne Had a ‘Childlike Joy for Life’ Before His Death, Says Radio Host Siân Welby (Exclusive)

Views: 8

“He was always up for a laugh,” the Capital Breakfast host tells PEOPLE after Payne’s death at age 31 on Oct. 19

An English radio host is remembering Liam Payne’s “childlike joy for life” following his death at age 31 on Oct. 19.

Siân Welby, who co-hosts Capital Breakfast, interviewed the late One Direction star — who died after falling multiple stories from his balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina — on numerous occasions and says he was an “interviewer’s dream.”

“He always up for a laugh and game to play along with anything you threw at him,” Welby, 38, tells PEOPLE. “In one of my interviews with him he literally let me zap him with a taser! Despite all the fame and success he still always came across as a very down-to-earth lad who hadn’t forgotten his roots.”

One of Welby’s favorite memories of the “Strip That Down” singer? The time she purchased him a birthday gift.

“I remember buying him some Batman Lego as a birthday present because I knew he loved Batman! He was over the moon and took it with him after the interview. He really had that cheeky, childlike joy for life,” she says, adding that Payne’s death is “tragic” and “devastating.”

Following the news, Capital FM dedicated an entire morning show to Payne and his legacy, playing One Direction songs an his solo music, including his hit “Strip That Down.”

“We had fans from around the world texting in, supporting each other and sending their thoughts and prayers to his friends and family,” explains Welby. “It was a really moving show.”

As for Payne’s legacy, Welby thinks his kind nature will be what he’s most remembered for.

“He’ll be remembered for how empathetic he was to his friends and his fans,” she says. “You can see the outpouring of love and people expressing how much he helped others through difficult times and that says so much about his character.”

“He went from being a little lad in Wolverhampton with a dream to becoming part of the biggest boy band in the world. He achieved so much in such a short period of time,” Welby says, noting Payne was “so passionate” about his career and One Direction bandmates.

According to an ABC News report, a partial autopsy revealed Payne had “multiple substances in his system” including “pink cocaine,” a substance that includes a combination of methamphetamine, ketamine and MDMA.

Payne’s body will remain in Argentina until the autopsy is completed.

Following his sudden death, Payne’s family released a statement and said they were “heartbroken” by the news. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” the said in a statement to multiple outlets including the BBC and PA Media.

“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time,” the statement continued, per the BBC.