Liam Payne: Zayn Malik wasn’t expected to say much in One Direction

Liam Payne says he envied Zayn Malik in One Direction – because he was not expected to talk.

The star, 24, was asked about teaming up with Rita Ora, 27, for their single For You, from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack.

Asked if was nice to be able to rely on someone else again after One Direction announced a hiatus, Payne said he was always expected to be the chatty one while doing interviews with the band.

“I was the guy for the job. I was the talky guy,” he told the Radio 1 Breakfast Show With Nick Grimshaw.

“I feel like it was nice to be Zayn sometimes. He just came in and he wasn’t expected to say very much, unless prompted to do so.”

And he said of One Direction’s music videos: “It used to be my job to look silly when I was in the band. It was all about larking about but now it’s all about being serious.”

Asked if he had any plans for Valentine’s Day, Payne, who is a new parent to son Bear with singer Cheryl, said: “I celebrate it everyday. Just ask my missus!”

Ora said she had her mind focused on her work and “will be loving the fact I will be working on Valentine’s Day, I don’t know if I will be thinking about it this year”.

The singer said she was at a stage in her career where she felt able to go her own way, telling Grimshaw: “I definitely know what it feels like to be blocked from doing what you want to do and being individual. Now I’m free and can do whatever I want!”