'Devastated' Simon Cowell says he feels empty after Liam Payne's death

Simon Cowell remembered late One Direction star Liam Payne

Simon Cowell remembered late One Direction star Liam Payne. (Getty)
Simon Cowell remembered late One Direction star Liam Payne. (Getty)

Simon Cowell has spoken out for the first time since former One Direction star Liam Payne died after a balcony fall in Argentina, saying: "Heartbroken. I feel empty."

Payne died after falling from a third floor balcony of the CasaSur Hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday. The world is grieving the loss of the singer, with his family, former One Direction band members, celebrity friends and fans sharing thoughtful tributes on social media.

Cowell has now broken his silence with an emotional tribute to the star. It was the music mogul's idea to form One Direction with five boys who had auditioned on The X Factor. The group - made up of Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik - became The X Factor's biggest success story to date.

Simon Cowell with One Direction's (L-R) Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Liam Payne. (Getty)
Simon Cowell with One Direction's (L-R) Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Liam Payne. (Getty)

Cowell wrote on Instagram: "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 you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans."

Looking back to when they first crossed paths at Payne's audition on The X Factor, he added: "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."

Cowell recalled meeting with Payne last year where the late star discussed his joy at being a father to seven-year-old Bear, whom he shares with his ex Cheryl.

Read more: Liam Payne

The music mogul said: "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.

Harry Styles, Nial Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Simon Cowell, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik of One Direction.
(L-R) Harry Styles, Nial Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Simon Cowell, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik of One Direction.

"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."

Cowell has been filming Britain’s Got Talent but in the wake of the news, it has been announced filming for the show will be postponed until a later date.

Cowell had known Payne since 2008, when he tried out for The X Factor at 14. He was unsuccessful that time, though the X Factor boss told Payne to go back when he was older.

Liam Payne of One Direction arriving at 'The X Factor' studios London, England - 19.11.10
Liam Payne tried out for The X Factor at 14. (PA Images/Alamy)

He returned in 2010 and after auditioning as a solo artist, Cowell and Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger put him together with the other boys who would go on to become One Direction. During the discussions, Cowell said Payne’s had been “the standout" audition.

One Direction didn’t win the talent show, coming third behind winner Matt Cardle and runner up Rebecca Ferguson. But Cowell ended up signing them anyway.

Discussing signing the group in 2012, he told Billboard: “I’ve done this long enough that everything in music and entertainment in cyclical. [Even if] you go back to the Motown days, every time, it always comes back to 12 o’clock. It felt like that time again.”

Months after the X Factor, Cowell's Syco Records released What Makes You Beautiful, One Direction's debut track, and it went to number one.

Payne once shared that Cowell helped him get together with Cheryl, who he was with for two years before they split in 2018. He recounted the story in TV special Straight Talking in 2019, telling TV star Ant Middleton: "I went to Simon’s house, and I just kept making jokes about how hot Cheryl was. And then at the end of the night he was like, 'I think I know who the next Mrs Payne is going to be'."

FILE - In this Monday, May 9, 2016 file photo, Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne pose during a photo call for the Global Gift Gala at Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris. Former Girls Aloud star Cheryl and partner Liam Payne of One Direction fame announced on Saturday March 25, 2017, the birth of their first child. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, File)
Simon Cowell apparently helped Cheryl and Liam Payne get together. (AP)

Payne said later on he was in a bar when bandmate Horan turned up and told him that Cheryl liked him. He had been in Cowell's dressing room, along with Cheryl and others, when Payne came up.

"So basically Simon Cowell was the matchmaker?" Middleton asked, and Payne confirmed: "Simon Cowell."

For confidential emotional support contact The Samaritansat any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.