Simon Cowell is feeling ‘sick’ over the tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, who he loved like his own son – and is ‘trying to figure out what he can do to support his family’.
Tributes are pouring in for Payne, who plunged to his death aged 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.
Music mogul Simon, 65, is said to be ‘gutted’ by news of the Stack It Up singer’s death, with an insider claiming he cherished him like his own flesh and blood – along with fellow One Direction lads Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan.
They added that the director, who interrupted filming of his talent show Britain’s Got Talent after the heartbreak, is taking time to process the sudden loss while reflecting on fond memories.
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, they said: ‘Simon is devastated by the Liam news.
Simon Cowell is ‘going through so many emotions’ after Liam Payne’s tragic death
An insider claimed to DailyMail.com that the late One Direction star was ‘like a son’ to him
“Simon has a son who he loves more than anything, and essentially the guys from One Direction were his first set of sons, he spent so much time with them, and he loves them all.
“This is a tragedy and there are so many emotions going through him right now.”
Simon signed One Direction to his music label Syco after the group auditioned for The X Factor in 2010.
Payne had previously auditioned in 2008 when he was 14, and performed a breathtaking rendition of Frank Sinatra’s hit Fly Me To The Moon for judges Simon and Louis Walsh, and his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole.
Although he made it to the Judges’ Houses round, Payne was ultimately sent home.
Simon encouraged Payne to try again in “two years” when he would become a global superstar as part of boy band One Direction.
The insider continued: ‘Liam was such an important person in his life and Simon is sick that this happened.
“He holds Payne’s memories close to his heart. It’s just an absolute nightmare and very sad to experience.
The source added that Payne was “such an important person” in Simon’s life
Simon signed One Direction to his label Syco after they formed on his show X Factor
“It’s really a moment of reflection for Simon, he’s trying to figure out what he can do to help his family, he wants to do something for Liam but that will all take some time, he has to deal with the tragedy for the moment .
“It’s very difficult and very sad.”
DailyMail.com has contacted Simon’s representatives for comment.
Earlier today it was announced that a ‘devastated’ Simon, who shares 10-year-old son Eric with 47-year-old fiancée Lauren Silverman, has stepped back from filming Britain’s Got Talent following Payne’s death.
Production will restart on Saturday with Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, KSI and Bruno Tonioli on the panel as the grieving mogul mourns the pop star’s death.
“This news has hit Simon incredibly hard – he is completely shocked and devastated,” a source told The Sun.
‘He didn’t feel it was right to continue filming BGT, and when filming resumes on Saturday he doesn’t feel like he’s in the right head space to continue.
‘All the judges and production crew are extremely supportive.’
A spokesperson for Freemantle UK, the programme’s producer, announced yesterday that they were suspending auditions for Britain’s Got Talent.
Their statement read: ‘Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the auditions for Britain’s Got Talent.
“Our thoughts are with Liam’s friends, family and everyone who loved him.”
According to the insider, Simon considers all One Direction stars as his own children
Simon has stepped back from filming Britain’s Got Talent following Payne’s death
At the same time, Simon faced backlash over Payne’s death, with X Factor’s Katie Waissel criticizing the state of the music industry.
Singer-songwriter Katie, 38, who auditioned with Payne for the 2010 series of X Factor, singled out Simon in two statements accusing music bosses of focusing on “profit rather than people”.
On Wednesday, she took to
She later released a lengthy statement describing Payne as “my confidant and my rock,” before turning her attention to the lack of support for young musicians.
“Liam was kind, with a pure heart, a sharp mind and the wisdom of an old soul. His warmth and compassion left a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing him,” she wrote.
Payne fell to his death from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday
His family said they are ‘heartbroken’ by his death and that the singer will ‘live on in our hearts forever’
“His tragic passing not only leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who loved him, but also serves as a painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry.
‘There are people who had a responsibility to provide the care and support necessary for the well-being of young artists, but too often the focus remained on the profit rather than the people.
“This industry has treated talent like a commodity, and the disregard for duty of care has led to yet another heartbreaking loss. We only have to look at Simon Cowell’s recent interview with Steven Bartlett, in which he admits that his biggest regret was not having the name of the band.”
She added: “The real regret should be that no priority has been given to the emotional and physical well-being of the artists who place their trust in these institutions.
‘Contracts, whether for television programs or recording contracts, come with a legal and moral duty of care that must be adhered to.’
Payne fell from the third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, plunging into the courtyard before medics later confirmed his death.
The singer’s family announced today that they were “heartbroken” by his death and that the singer “will live on in our hearts forever.”
In a statement they said: ‘We are heartbroken. Liam will live on in our hearts forever and we will remember him for his kind, funny and courageous soul. We support each other as a family as best we can and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time.’