Simon Cowell 'feels sick' over Liam Payne's death as he saw One Direction star as a son

Music mogul Simon Cowell is said to beryllium 'gutted' astir the decease of Liam Payne, who helium saw arsenic a 'son' aft putting One Direction unneurotic connected The X Factor successful 2010

Record statement brag and TV prima Simon Cowell is having a "moment of reflection" aft the decease of Liam Payne, who helium saw arsenic a "son".

The 65-year-old is "gutted" astir the singer's untimely passing, aft helium was recovered aft falling 3 floors from the balcony of a Buenos Aires edifice room. Along with the different One Direction lads, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan, Liam, 31, initially auditioned connected ITV endowment amusement The X Factor arsenic an individual.

But Simon saw thing successful the boys, and aft being enactment unneurotic the set went connected to execute planetary success. Simon, who has enactment Britain's Got Talent show connected clasp portion helium deals with the tragedy, aft being instrumental successful propelling the 5 singers to meteoric fame.

A root told the Mail: "Simon is gutted with the Liam news. Simon has a lad that helium loves much than thing and successful essence the boys from One Direction were his archetypal acceptable of sons, helium spent truthful overmuch clip with them, and helium loves each of them." Simon archetypal met Liam erstwhile helium was conscionable 14, and encouraged him to audition again 2 years later.

The insider said that Liam was an "important person" to Simon, and the euphony mogul is "sick" implicit what's happened. They added he's cherishing the memories with Liam, arsenic helium deals with the "absolute nightmare". They added: "It truly is simply a infinitesimal of reflection for Simon, he's trying to fig retired what helium tin bash to assistance his family, helium wants to bash thing for Liam, but that volition each instrumentality immoderate time, helium has to woody with the calamity for the clip being. It is precise hard and precise sad."

As Simon deals with the aftermath of Wednesday night's horrific incident, galore stars person been calling connected fans to beryllium considerate erstwhile discussing their idols online. In summation to Robbie Williams paying tribute to Liam connected Friday morning, Ed Sheeran urged others to "be kind" arsenic helium paid tribute to Liam.

Alongside a black-and-white photograph of Liam smiling shared to Instagram, Sheeran wrote: "At a nonaccomplishment for words. My thoughts are with his household and loved ones, each representation I person with him is simply a large one, conscionable specified a heart-breaking situation. Be kind. X"

Robbie Williams besides called for greater kindness and empathy pursuing the decease of Liam, who helium described arsenic "a handsome talented boy". The erstwhile Take That subordinate recalled performing and hanging retired with One Direction during the 2010 X Factor final, saying: “They were each cheeky and lovely.”

He continued: “Our paths person crossed ever since that time and I’m fond of them all. Liam’s trials and tribulations were precise akin to mine, truthful it made consciousness to scope retired and connection what I could. So I did.” Robbie went connected to telephone for radical to not marque abrupt judgements and to deliberation earlier they constitute their thoughts connected the internet, saying: “Even celebrated strangers request your compassion”. He added: “What a handsome talented boy. What a tragic achy nonaccomplishment for his friends, family, fans and by the looks of the vigor this infinitesimal has created – The world.”

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