Simon Cowell reveals he visited Liam Payne last year
Simon Cowell remembered a special moment with Liam Payne which took place a year before the former One Direction member’s death.
‘You came to see me last year. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And we reminisced about all the fun times we had together. And you were so proud to be a father,” Cowell, 65, wrote in his Instagram tribute on Friday, October 18. “After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I met all those years ago. ”
We weekly confirmed on Wednesday, October 16, that Payne died in Argentina at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony. A preliminary autopsy showed he died of “internal and external” bleeding.
Cowell continued his statement, revealing that he has met Payne’s 7-year-old son, Bear, who the late singer shared with his ex-girlfriend. Cheryl Cole.
“He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have,” Cowell added. “He will be so proud of everything you have achieved. And how you achieved that.”
Cowell brought Payne together Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson And Zayn Malik to form One Direction during The X Factor Britain season 7 in 2010. Cowell also remembered the band in his tribute.
“I always saw the five of you in the band as brothers. And reading their messages today, I believe you were too,” he wrote. “And now Liam, I see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon.”
Payne first auditioned for the singing competition show in 2008, and Cowell recalled turning him down.
Liam Payne went through a series of ups and downs during his career in the spotlight prior to his tragic death at the age of 31. Payne rose to fame as a member of British boy band One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. The group was put together and supervised by Simon Cowell […]
“When you were fourteen, I had to tell you that this wasn’t your time. And we both promised that we would meet again,” the music producer wrote. “A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t. You came back and within months the whole world knew Liam.
Cowell continued: “And you never forgot the fans. I watched you spend so much time with people who wanted to meet you. You really cared.”
After news of Payne’s sudden death, Cowell postponed the decision Britain has talent auditions on Thursday, October 17.
“Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has decided to postpone today’s auditions in Blackpool,” ApplauseStore, the show’s ticketing service, shared in a statement via X. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”
