LIAM Payne "lacked a sense of belonging" according to close pal Ant Middleton, who has opened up on his "shock" following the popstar's tragic death.
The ex SAS: Who Dares Wins star, 44, formed a close bond with the dad of one, 31, during show Straight Talking, released in 2019.
Speaking live on Thursday's Good Morning Britain - hours after Liam's sad passing came to light - Ant said he resonated with the state of mind of The X Factor alumni.
He said of his death: "I was just shocked, I was lost for words.
"He was such a positive, outgoing guy who I believe lacked a sense of belonging when he left the band.
"When we did our special together in Namibia I could relate to that.
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"When I left the military, I lost my sense of being, and when he left the band we had a great conversation about how that identity is lost and how we re-identify ourselves and re-establish ourselves.
"And we became very close after that."
Ant, who was on the call via a link to his car in Australia, added: "We built that brotherly bond together.
"He would call me and within an hour we would be at his house and talking through things.
"But I mean what a loss, what a tragic loss."
Celebrity tributes from famous faces have been pouring in for the Wolverhampton star.