Simon Cowell says he feels “empty” after the singer’s death

Simon Cowell has paid tribute to One Direction star Liam Payne, saying he is “heartbroken” and feels “empty” following the singer’s death.

Cowell, who put the team together on The X Factor in 2010, remembered Payne as “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful.” [and] talented”.

“Liam, I’m devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel so empty,” she wrote.

Payne, 31, died Wednesday when he fell from the balcony of a third-floor hotel room where he had been staying in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In a post on Instagram, Cowell added: “And I want you to know how much love and respect I have. Every tear I’ve shed is in memory of you.”

The talented judge also said he was thinking about the time they spent together.

“I wanted to let you know what I will always say to the thousands of people who keep asking me. How is Liam?

“And I would tell them that you are kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, very focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you had for the fans.”

Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, has also paid tribute to the star, who she called “my angel”, adding that he was “totally lost”.

“You are everything,” he said in a statement.

“I want you to know that I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life.”

This happened when Payne’s father, Geoff Payne, arrived at the mortuary in Buenos Aires where his son’s body was taken on Friday afternoon.

Authorities in Argentina said a family member needed to identify Payne’s body before it could be exhumed and returned to the UK.

In Cowell’s statement, he also recalled Payne’s first X Factor audition in 2008, aged 14, when Cowell told the budding singer he wasn’t ready and would return in two years.

“Many people would have given up.

“And you didn’t forget the fans. I watched you spend a lot of time with people who wanted to meet you. You really cared.”

Cowell eventually signed One Direction to his label and orchestrated their worldwide success before they broke up in 2016.

The music star also revealed that Payne had visited him last year.

“Not for a meeting. Just sitting and talking. And we remembered all the good times we had together. And how proud you were to be a Dad,” he wrote.

“After you left, I was reminded that he is still the sweet, kind boy I met all those years ago.”

He added: “I met your son, Bear. He has your smile and what you have in his eyes. And he will be proud of everything you have achieved. And how you have achieved it.”

Cowell’s tribute came after Payne’s former bandmates posted their own heartfelt memories.

“I always thought of the five of you in the band as brothers,” Cowell continued. “And in terms of their messages today, I believe you were like that.

“Now Liam, I can see the impact you have on many people. Because you left us too soon.”

And on Friday, Payne’s bandmate Niall Horan posted a tribute, saying he was “deeply devastated” by the passing of his wonderful friend.

Harry Styles previously said his “heart goes out” to Payne’s family. He added: “His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honor to have him as he did.

Louis Tomlinson echoed Styles’ words, describing Liam as “a very important part of One Direction” who “had a gift for writing”.

Zayn Malik addressed Payne directly in his statement, praising him for his “good attitude and reassuring smile”.

Others who posted their reactions included former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, whose message to Payne said the music business had “let you down”.

“Where was this industry when you needed them?” he wrote.

“You were a child when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace my friend.”