SIMON Cowell has paid tribute to Liam Payne following his tragic death at 31.
It was confirmed singer Liam had died after falling from his third floor balcony at a Buenos Aires hotel.
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Now Simon, 65 – who first met Liam when he was 14 – has shared a touching post on his Instagram grid page.
He posted a number of graphic slides with a long essay onto the social media platform.
It read: “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens.
“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.
“This is so difficult to put into words right now.”
The music mogul continued with his long essay, writing: “I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together.
It comes as…
“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 love you genuinely had for the fans.”
“I had to tell you when you were 14 that this wasn’t your time. And we both made a promise that we would meet again.
“A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t. You came back and within months the whole world know Liam.
“And you never forgot the fans. I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you. You really cared.
“You came to see me last year. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And 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.”
Simon also opened up on the bond he shared with Liam’s seven-year-old son, Bear.
“I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have,” he wrote.
Simon Cowell’s statement in full
You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens.
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.
This is so difficult to put into words right now. I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together. 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 love you genuinely had for the fans.
I had to tell you when you were 14 that this wasn’t your time. And we both made a promise that we would meet again. A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t. You came back and within months the whole world know Liam. And you never forgot the fans. I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you. You really cared.
You came to see me last year. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And 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.
I have met your son, Bear. He 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 5 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.
Rest in peace my friend. And I am sending my love, thoughts and prayers to your family.
Simon X.
“And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.”
In his third slide, Simon added: “I always thought the 5 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.”
He added: “Rest in peace my friend. And I am sending my love, thoughts and prayers to your family. Simon X.”
Liam I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you
Simon Cowell
Liam first audition for Simon’s X Factor in 2008 but was unsuccessful. However he returned in 2010 and was put into One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
After working alongside the boys for their massive international success, Simon once confessed he was “annoyed” when Liam chose another label for his solo career.
He told The Sun: “It is a bit annoying if I am honest with you – mainly because it is a another label who has now got your artist who you worked with for so many years.
“We had spoken a lot, him and I, about what he wanted to do next.
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED friends, family and fans have paid heartbreaking tributes to Liam as news of the singer’s death circulated across the world.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning today.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show today and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
But Simon admitted that he should have reached out to Liam and expressed interest in working with him as a solo artist.
He continued: “And I am guessing this because I haven’t spoken to Liam, but I guess he read about Harry’s deal and thought we weren’t interested.
“My impression was that he wasn’t in any hurry to make a record because he discussed this last year.
“He was more into songwriting and I was teasing him saying ‘if you come up with a great song Liam make sure it is for you and don’t give it away. When you’re ready, I am’.
You came to see me last year. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And we reminisced about all of the fun times we had together.
Simon Cowell
“So I was a bit surprised. You have to remember with Liam I auditioned him when he was 14 or 15 years old.
“He nearly made it as a solo artist, then he came back and ends up in One Direction.
“So of course, there is a part of you that goes ‘maybe we should have had the conversation’. That may be my fault but it has happened.”
Liam was was in Buenos Aires for pal and fellow 1D star Niall’s tour when he tragically plunged from the third floor on Wednesday afternoon.
Liam, who shared seven-year-old son Bear with ex Cheryl, shared a post on Snapchat only minutes before his death and showed him and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy looking into a mirror.
The singer-songwriter was staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo.
Crowds of heartbroken fans have now gathered behind a cordon outside the accommodation to pay tribute.
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