Britain’s Got Talent auditions resume after Liam Payne’s death but without Simon Cowell

Britain’s Got Talent began filming again after the auditions had been previously cancelled.

The ITV series took a break following the tragic news of Liam Payne’s death aged 31.

The judging panel has returned to their jobs, but without Simon Cowell, who has stepped away to grieve.

Bruno Tonioli has stepped in to cover, who was pictured arriving at the Blackpool Winter Gardens. He appeared sombre but waved to fans and photographers.

Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and guest judge KSI, who was hired as a temporary replacement for Tonioli, will also continue with the programme.

Cowell, 65, was a mentor for Payne on The X Factor in 2010. Alongside his One Direction bandmates Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles, they finished in third position.

The boyband was then signed by Cowell’s label, Syco Entertainment.

On Wednesday, it was announced that Payne had died after falling off a balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The following day, Britain’s Got Talent auditions were cancelled. In a statement, Applause Store, who organised the tickets for filming, announced: ‘Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has decided to postpone today’s auditions in Blackpool. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.’ The series began filming earlier this week.

Cowell and Payne first met in 2008, when Payne auditioned as a solo artist aged 14.

He progressed to the judges’ house stage, but Cowell didn’t take him through to live shows. Instead, Cowell advised he take two years away and then return.

Payne followed that advice and was placed into a group alongside the four other solo artists. They went on to become one of the most successful boy bands in history, with hits including What Makes You Beautiful, Night Changes, and Steal My Girl.

The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, as the singers all embarked on successful solo careers.

Cowell recently shared a tribute for Payne on Instagram, in which he admitted to ‘feeling’ empty while processing the devastating news.

‘You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,’ he wrote.

‘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.

‘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 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. 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. 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 of 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.’

He concluded: ‘Liam, I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty.’