Simon Cowell has said he is “truly devastated” and “heartbroken” over the death of former One Direction star Liam Payne.
The music mogul and X Factor judge – who mentored the band on the show and later signed them to his label – posted a tribute on Instagram to the 31-year-old singer.
Payne died on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.
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“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” Cowell wrote.
“Liam, I am truly 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.”
Cowell added: “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.”
Cowell also referenced the time he initially rejected Payne for being too young when he first appeared on the X Factor in 2008.
“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,” he wrote.
Remembering when Payne returned to the talent show’s audition process two years later, Cowell added: “A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t. 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.”
He also revealed that the pair had met last year “just to sit and talk”.
“We reminisced about all 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 met all those years ago,” he wrote.
Cowell said he had met Payne’s son Bear, adding that the boy had the singer’s “smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have”.
“He will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it,” Cowell added.
Payne and former X Factor judge Cheryl welcomed their son Bear in 2017. Their relationship began in 2016 and ended in 2018.
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Cowell finished his tribute with the words: “I always thought of the 5 of you in the band as brothers. And reading 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.”
He added: “I am sending my love, thoughts and prayers to your family. Simon X”.
Tributes have poured in for Payne following his death, including from his One Direction bandmates who issued a joint statement and their own personal messages.
Cowell will miss filming for Britain’s Got Talent when production resumes on Saturday after it was halted earlier this week in the wake of Payne’s death, according to reports.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli is said to be stepping in to replace Cowell for an unspecified amount of time.