Simon Cowell has paid tribute to Liam Payne, saying he “feels empty” and “heartbroken” by the singer’s death.
The solo artist and former One Direction member died on Wednesday (October 16), following a fatal fall from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The Argentine prosecutor’s office has revealed that the 31-year-old’s cause of death was due to multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding.
Cowell played a major role in Payne’s career, signing One Direction to his Syco label after their third-place finish on the 2010 season of The X Factor, on which Cowell was the head judge. The group went on to record five studio albums and sell over 70 million records worldwide.
Now, Cowell has shared a heartfelt, personal tribute to the singer in a post on his Instagram account.
“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” he wrote. “Liam, I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.”
“I wanted to let you know what I would always say to the thousands of people who would always ask me. What is Liam like? And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans.”
He shared a memory of meeting with Payne last year, adding: “We reminisced about all of the fun times we had together. And how proud you were to be a Dad. After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I had met all of those years ago.”
Cowell spoke warmly of Payne’s 7-year-old son Bear, who he said has “your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have”.
“And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.
“I always thought the five of you in the band as brothers. And regarding their messages today I believe you were. And now Liam, I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon,” Cowell concluded.
Cowell and producers also made the call to cancel the filming for Britain’s Got Talent on Thursday (October 17) in light of the news.
Yesterday (October 17) saw One Direction’s surviving members – Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles – share a joint statement, in which they expressed their devastation and said that they would need time “to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
Since then, the surviving members have gone on to share their own respective, touching tributes to the singer.
“I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real,” Horan said. “Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
Payne’s family have also issued a statement, saying: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Earlier this morning (October 18), it was reported that Sharon Osbourne – who was also a judge on The X Factor, although not on the 2010 season – accused the music industry of “letting down” Liam Payne following his death.
“Liam, my heart aches,” she said. “We all let you down. Where was this industry when you needed them? You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace my friend”