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Simon Cowell, who formed One Direction in 2010, has broken his silence after the sudden death of former band member Liam Payne.
“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” Cowell wrote on Instagram Friday. “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 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.”
Payne fractured his skull and died instantly of “very serious injuries” when he suddenly plunged from his third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16. He was 31.
An autopsy showed that he may have been unconscious when he fell. Additionally, two women had been in his room in the hours before his death.
According to the report, his cause of death was “polytrauma, internal and external hemorrhage” and the cranial brain injuries alone would have been enough to cause death. Additionally, he suffered internal and external hemorrhages in the skull, thorax, abdomen and limbs, which “contributed to the mechanism of death.”
One day later, Cowell, 65, announced that auditions for the reality competition show “Britain’s Got Talent” would be postponed in light of the singer’s death.
“Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has decided to postpone today’s auditions in Blackpool. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” reads a statement from Applause Store, which sells tickets to the live show’s filming, posted to X.
A spokesperson for the show’s production company, Fremantle UK, confirmed the postponement to Scottish newspaper The Herald, saying, “Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the Britain’s Got Talent auditions.”
Though officials initially said after the star’s death he had “jumped,” the autopsy report described him as having fallen and Buenos Aires Security Ministry communications director Pablo Policicchio told Page Six that investigators are still working to determine if the fatal incident was accidental or intentional.
Cowell first met Payne on “The X Factor” in 2010 when Payne auditioned for the show. The British personality reflected on meeting him — and having to reject him from the show when he initially auditioned at 14.
“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,” he wrote his statement Friday. “You came back and within months the whole world knew 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,” he continued. “And how proud you were to be a Dad. After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I met all of those years ago. I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eyes you have. And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.”
Cowell would later put Payne together with Zayn Malik, 31; Harry Styles, 30; Niall Horan, 31; and Louis Tomlinson, 32; to form One Direction.
Though the group placed only third on Season 7, they went on to become a sensation, with five studio albums, four world tours and a slew of awards.
“We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” reads a statement shared on the official “X Factor” account after Payne’s passing.
“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him,” the statement adds.
The remaining members of One Direction released a joint statement on Thursday and also posted separate tributes on their individual Instagram accounts.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” reads the statement. “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
Follow along with The Post’s coverage of Liam Payne’s tragic death at 31
Payne’s family has since released a statement about the singer’s passing as well.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul,” the family said in the statement. “We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
A relative has also said the family is “utterly devastated,” according to the Daily Mail.
Anne Twist, Styles’ mother, posted the picture of a red broken heart on Instagram with the caption, “Just a boy…”
Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with British singer Cheryl Cole.