Simon Cowell has said he ‘feels empty’ as he penned an emotional tribute to Liam Payne.
The 31-year-old tragically passed away after suffering catastrophic injuries when falling from the third floor of his hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday. Simon, 64, mentored One Direction during their time on The X Factor and on Friday evening he issued a heartfelt tribute on his Instagram page.
Simon said: “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens. 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 is so difficult to put into words right now. I went outside today, and I though 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.”
After One Direction – which included Liam, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik – finished in third place on the show, Simon subsequently signed the five-piece to his record label, Syco. The band have sold over 70 million records worldwide since catapulting to global fame thanks to their boyish personalities and infectious music.
Although Nicole Scherzinger was the brains behind One Direction’s creation, Simon was instrumental in their success after they signed to his record label. Liam was holidaying in the Latin American country with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, but she had returned to her hometown in Florida just before his devastating death.
Police, firefighters and ambulances were seen outside of a hotel building after Liam tragically fell. Police are said to have been called to reports of a man acting aggressively at the hotel who could be under the effect of drink or drugs.
An autopsy has since shed light on his death and states his was consistent with a ten meter fall he suffered from the balcony of his room, located on the third floor of the Casa Sur hotel on Godoy Cruz Street.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter.