Liam Payne Had 'Zero Issues' Filming Netflix Show — but It's 'Too Soon' to Decide Series' Fate (Exclusive Sources)

Liam Payne was in his element on the set of Netflix’s upcoming music competition series Building the Band, just weeks before his tragic death.

Payne, 31, served as a guest judge on the series, which follows individual singers as they attempt to form the next great band without ever seeing one another. 

The show — which also stars Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland and AJ McLean as host — has yet to receive a premiere date. And after Payne’s sudden death on Oct. 16, its fate remains unclear.

A source tells PEOPLE that series producers were shocked and saddened by the loss of the former One Direction star, and it’s still too soon to make any decisions when it comes to the show.

Though Payne reportedly had “pink cocaine” in his system (a combination drug that includes methamphetamine, ketamine, MDMA and caffeine) when he died, according to ABC News, the source adds that the “Strip That Down” singer had no behavioral issues during filming, and that there were zero issues on set with the star.

In fact, the source adds that Payne was so fulfilled by his experience on Building the Band that he wanted to continue working with the bands after production ended.

"Liam seemed so genuinely happy to be on set. He looked healthy, and was smiling in all his fan interactions, signing things and chatting with them between takes," says a PEOPLE staffer who was on set in late August. “He was having a great time doing what he loved, and showed no signs of any underlying issues.”

The staffer adds that Payne was eager to help the contestants on the show, offering genuine feedback and interest in their development.

Payne died in Buenos Aires, Argentina after falling from a balcony at his hotel. According to a preliminary autopsy report, the star died from multiple injuries and "internal and external" hemorrhages, the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office confirmed to PEOPLE.

His Building the Band co-star Scherzinger — who is credited alongside Simon Cowell with creating One Direction when Payne was a contestant on The X Factor in 2010 — paid tribute to her late friend in an Instagram post shortly after his death.

“Dear Liam, I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago,” she wrote. “It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently. We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had.”

“It’s been so hard to process that you’re no longer here, but I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character,” the former Pussycat Dolls star continued. 

“You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you,” she wrote before concluding with, "I will ‘miss you’ my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. 🙏🏽♥️.”