One Direction's Liam Payne has spoken out over reports his bandmate Louis Tomlinson is to be a father.

Tomlinson, 23, is expecting his first child with Los Angeles-based stylist Brianna Jungwirth, although he has yet to comment on the stories himself.

Payne admitted he was "shocked" when he found out the news, telling Magic Radio's Jo Parkerson: "Well, obviously I was a bit shocked but he's taken super well to it."

Tomlinson is "very excited" over impending fatherhood with Jungwirth, who he described as a "lovely girl," according to his 21-year-old bandmate.

"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."

Payne also discussed Zayn Malik's exit from One Direction.

The singer, who is engaged to Little Mix's Perrie Edwards, announced his departure in March, citing his desire to live as a "normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight". He has since signed a recording deal with RCA Records.

"I haven't spoken to him recently and he's off doing his own thing and taking his time," Payne 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 any more and there is something out there that I do want to do that is different, and that's fine."

Payne cannot wait to hear Malik's new music, saying: "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.

"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."

Payne - who has written songs for Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and been in the recording studio with Pharrell Williams - said he has no plans to follow in Malik's footsteps and pursue a solo career.

"I'm more interested in the writing side of things if I'm honest," he said.

"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.

"I much prefer doing that sort of thing. I love being in the band. I don't know if I could do it by myself now, it's all too comfortable."

The full interview can be heard on Magic Radio on August 8 from 3pm.