BBC star breaks down on air over Liam Payne death - 'It's hard to stop thinking about'

BBC Radio 1 star Mollie King has opened up about the death of Liam Payne, becoming emotional as she spoke about the singer with her co-presenter Matt Edmondson. Liam Payne tragically died on Wednesday 17 October after the 31-year-old fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

Beginning their early afternoon show on BBC Radio 1, Matt and Mollie spoke about the "difficult" news of Liam's death, with Matt saying: "It's a sad day. Firstly, I'm really glad that I'm here with you today. This is my safe space and I hope that for people listening to this show, they feel the same.

x"When any big news like this happens, stuff that's shocking or really affecting or leaves you feeling empty. We can't stop thinking about it - it feels like I'm carrying this news about Liam Payne. "

He added: "his is really hard. It's really sad but also to reflect on the fact that we're huge fans of One Direction. We have crossed paths with them on so many occasions and in so many different ways in their careers and our careers. How are you doing?"

Taking a pause before responding, Mollie - who found fame with band The Saturdays - replied: "It's hard to get your head around." As her voice began to break, she added: "It's important to speak to each other if you can and just express how you're feeling because it really is something that it's hard to stop thinking about.

"Thinking about families and loved-ones and fans. People who have experienced so much. One Direction sound tracked so much of our lives, they've brought so much joy and happy times so it's a really difficult one. Like Matt says, if we can bring a smile to your face today or all come together and remember such great times, that's what we're here for."

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Matt went on to say that he's "longing for distraction" from the devastating news and revealed that he worked on the series of The X Factor where they were formed. "You could tell there was magic about the chemistry of these guys. Having grown up in a world of the manufactured band, there felt like a real authenticity to them," he said. "They were each who they were and we've seen that with all of them as they've gone off and done their own things. They were uncompromisingly them.

"The way that they were off-camera was really similar to how they were on-camera - which is some guys living out their dreams, having the most amazing time. I always felt very proud of them. I felt like I was invested in what they were up to," Matt added as his own voice began to wobble. The presenting duo ended the opening segment by playing One Direction's Night Changes in tribute to the singer.

The former One Direction star 'died instantly' from injuries that included a skull fracture following a fall from a third floor hotel balcony at the Hotel Casa Sur in Palermo. Buenos Aires emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti said in a statement: "Unfortunately, he had injuries that were incompatible with life, as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death, there was no possibility of resuscitation."