Simon Cowell’s record label Syco had managed Liam Payne while he was a member of One Direction
Simon Cowell has shared an emotional tribute to Liam Payne following the news that he has passed away at the age of 31.
Authorities in Argentina confirmed that the former One Direction singer had passed away after falling from a balcony at his hotel in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires on 16 October.
A preliminary post-mortem has since confirmed that Payne died from ‘internal and external haemorrhaging’ after falling 40 metres from a third floor balcony.
Music mogul and X Factor boss Cowell has now shared a statement saying that he is ‘truly devastated’, ‘heartbroken’ and feels ’empty’ after hearing the news.
Simon Cowell had mentored One Direction while they were on X Factor (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” he began on his Instagram post.
“Liam, I am truly 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 know Liam.
Liam Payne died at the age of 31 (Kate Green/Getty Images)
“And you never forgot the fans. I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you. You really cared.”
He continued: “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.”
He added: “I always thought 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. Simon X.”
The music mogul had mentored Payne as part of boyband One Direction during their time on X Factor, before going on to sign the group to his Syco record label.
Cowell’s statement follows tributes from Payne’s former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.
Featured Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Axel/Bauer-Griffin
Topics: Liam Payne, Simon Cowell, X Factor, Celebrity
Brenna Cooper
Liam Payne’s first X Factor audition tape resurfaces following former One Direction star’s tragic death aged 31
The singer was just 14 when he initially auditioned for the programme
Video footage of Liam Payne’s first X Factor audition has resurfaced online following thice trag news that he has passed away at the age of 31.
Early this morning, it was confirmed by police in Argentina that the former One Direction member had died after falling from a balcony at his hotel on 16 October in the country’s capital, Buenos Aires.
In the hours following his death fans have begun to flood social media with heartfelt tributes to the 31-year-old, with clips from his first auditions on the ITV singing series also resurfacing online.
Liam Payne died after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina ,aged 31 (Marc Piasecki/GC Images)
Payne was just 14 when he first appeared before judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Tweedy (then Cole) and Louis Walsh, singing a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s ‘Fly Me to the Moon’.
He would make it through to the judges houses before being encouraged by Cowell to return in two years. He took the music mogul up on the advice and re-auditioned in 2010, going on to be placed into the group One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.
Watch his audition below:
In the clip, an excited Liam tells the camera: “When I’m at school, in general, I think about singing all the time. I should really be concentrating on my school work but I just think about singing too much.”
He then heads into the audition and performs the Sinatra track, to which Cheryl told him: “I liked it. I think you’re really cute. I think you’ve got charisma.. you gave us that cheeky little wink.”
“I think this kid could do fantastic in the show,” Walsh added.
Cowell, on the other hand, wasn’t too convinced by the performance, saying: “I’m just missing a bit of grit, a bit of emotion and actually a bit of fun, funnily enough.”
He then told the teenager there’s ’20 percent missing’, to which Payne responded by asking the judges for another audition in order to show them that he had ‘that 20 percent’. The confidence was enough to get him through to the next round.
Payne was able to impress the judges with his performance (ITV)
Further details have begun to emerge regarding the singer’s death, with Alberto Crescenti, the head of the state emergency medical system, releasing a statement which revealed Payne had fallen around 40 metres and suffered ‘severe injuries which were incompatible with life’.
“The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at Casa Sur,” he said. “At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead.
“Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal. There was no possibility of resuscitating him.”
Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Liam Payne, X Factor, Simon Cowell, ITV
Brenna Cooper
X Factor pays tribute to Liam Payne as former One Direction member dies aged 31
Payne died in Buenos Aires, Argentina last night (16 October)
The X Factor and several leading figures from the music world have shared tributes to former One Direction singer Liam Payne in the hours following his devastating death.
In the early hours of this morning police in Argentina confirmed that Payne, 31, had passed away from injuries sustained after falling from a third-floor balcony at his hotel in the capital city.
A further update from Alberto Crescenti, the head of the state emergency medical system, revealed that Payne had fallen around 40 metres and suffered ‘severe injuries which were incompatible with life’.
Liam Payne has died aged 31 (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
“The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at Casa Sur,” he said.
“At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead.
“Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal. There was no possibility of resuscitating him.”
It is believed Payne had jetted out to the city in order to attend a concert of his former bandmate Niall Horan.
As the world learns the news about the former One Direction star’s death, with X Factor leading the tributes by writing: “We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne.
“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.
“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.”
We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne. He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Liam Payne’s passing. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the many fans who loved and supported him,” the official Spotify X account posted, while TV personality Rylan Clarke added: “Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young. RIP Liam x”
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The Wanted singer Max George also shared a heartfelt tribute to Payne, recalling how the star had been ‘unbelievably supportive’ during a particularly difficult period of his life.
“Devastated. Liam was an unbelievably supportive during one of the most difficult times in my life. I will never forget that,” he wrote.
Fans have also gathered to pay tribute outside the hotel in Buenos Aires (Tobias Skarlovnik/Getty Images)
“My thoughts are with his family, friends and fans at this horrendous time. Rest in peace Liam.”
Meanwhile, McFly tweeted: “We’re shocked and extremely sad to wake up to the news of Liam Payne’s death. Our thoughts and love are with his family and friends at such a difficult time.”
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Oasis singer Liam Gallagher has also shared his condolences in a series of tweets, writing: “Life is precious kids and you only get to do it ONCE go easy LG x”
He then responded directly to a series of fans who asked him about the singer’s death, writing that the news was ‘very sad’.
“devastating news, dear Liam Payne,” added radio broadcaster Zoe Ball. “thoughts & love to his family, friends and fans.”
Featured Image Credit: Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu via Getty Images/Marc Piasecki/GC Images/Getty Images
Topics: Liam Payne, World News, Celebrity
Brenna Cooper
One Direction release joint statement following Liam Payne’s death aged 31
The former band members have broken their silence after Liam Payne’s tragic passing
The former band members of One Direction have released a joint statement following the death of Liam Payne aged 31.
The band, who were formed on X-Factor in 2010, was made up of Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik.
Though One Direction was one of the highest selling boy bands of all time, Malik left the group in 2015, and the rest of its members went on an ‘indefinite hiatus’ in 2016.
One Direction were one of the highest selling boy bands of all time (Fred Duval via Getty Images)
Payne was sadly found dead at a hotel in Argentina on 16 October.
While initial reports stated he had fallen from his third story hotel room, it was later confirmed by Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the security ministry of Buenos Aires.
He went on to state that police had been sent to the hotel following reports of an ‘aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol’.
Now, One Direction have addressed the tragic loss in a joint tribute.
The former band members’ statement reads: “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing.
“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.
“For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
“We will miss him terribly.
“We love you Liam.”
The statement was signed by all four former members of the band.
This comes amid the global shock of Payne’s death, which has led fans to amass outside the hotel in Buenos Aires and online tributes to pour in.
This includes various from celebrities, who have rushed to pay their respects to the late singer.
Jedward tweeted: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear <3 and all the One direction Family RIP @LiamPayne”.
Payne leaves behind his seven-year-old son Bear, who he shared with his ex-partner Cheryl.
Liam Payne died aged just 31 (Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Charlie Puth posted on Instagram to say: “I am in shock right now. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…”
Payne was confirmed to have died at the scene.
Alberto Crescenti, the head of the state emergency medical system, confirmed the news on Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV channel.
Crescenti said in a statement: “At 17.04 through the 911 integrated public safety system, we were alerted of a person who was in an internal courtyard of the management of a south house hotel.
“At 17.11 a SAME team arrived and verified the death of this man and later we found out that he was a singer in a musical group. Unfortunately, he had injuries that were incompatible with life, as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death, there was no possibility of resuscitation.”
Featured Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel / Fred Duval via Getty Images
Topics: Liam Payne, Music, Entertainment, X Factor
Michael Slavin
Former One Direction member Liam Payne dies aged 31
Payne was believed to have been posting on Snapchat just an hour before his reported death
State police in Argentina have said that former One Direction singer Liam Payne has died in Buenos Aires.
Local news outlet La Nacion reported that the 31-year-old was found dead after falling from the hotel’s third floor, citing emergency services in the region.
According to PA, Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV channel reported that Payne fell into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood of the region’s capital.
(Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Further details have since been confirmed about the singer’s death, with City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti releasing a statement which revealed Payne had fallen around 40 metres and suffered ‘severe injuries which were incompatible with life’.
“The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at Casa Sur,” he said.
“At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead.
“Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal. There was no possibility of resuscitating him.”
It is understood the star was in the city to attend a concert of his former bandmate Niall Horan.
Aged just 16 at the time, the singer rose to worldwide fame in 2008 alongside bandmates Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik in the group put together by Simon Cowell on The X Factor.
The band came third in the ITV show, going on to have hits including ‘Kiss You’, ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ and ‘Story of my Life’.
The group are one of the highest-selling boy bands in history, having sold more than 70 million records globally during their six years together.
(Nathan Congleton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
In 2017, Payne debuted his solo career with his hit track ‘Strip That Down’ featuring Migos’ Quavo, going on to release his album LP1 two years later.
Earlier this year the singer released more new music in the form of his new single ‘Teardrops’.
According to Sky News, one of Payne’s social media accounts was active just an hour before his reported death, posting a selfie on Snapchat telling his fans about his plans for the day.
“Today, we ride. We’re going to ride some horses,” he wrote. “Think I’m going to play polo again, which is going to put me out of action for about six weeks.
“It’s so hard to do, number one, my back and my neck from swinging that hammer around… or mallet, I think it’s called if you’re in the know. It hurts a lot, it’s very tough to do.”
Crescenti has said that authorities are investigating the circumstances of his death and would be conducting an autopsy.
LADbible Group has reached out to Payne’s reps for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images/Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images
Topics: Liam Payne, Celebrity, World News
