Simon Cowell sobbed over Liam Payne’s tragic death

Simon Cowell’s longtime friend Sinitta has shared that the X Factor mogul was inconsolable when he learned the tragic news of Liam Payne’s death

Music mogul Simon Cowell broke down and “sobbed” uncontrollably after learning about Liam Payne’s tragic death back in October.

One Direction singer Liam tragically died at the age of 31 in October last year after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After the news broke, X Factor judge Simon, 65, was left devastated and immediately started to sob, according to his close friend, Sinitta.

The pop icon, 61, has also claimed that Liam’s tragic death was made even harder for Simon after he was ‘blamed’ by fans for putting Liam through so much while he was at the height of his fame after X Factor and while touring the world as one fifth of One Direction alongside bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.

“He was absolutely devastated. I spoke to Simon, obviously it was a private conversation, but he usually contains his emotions, he’s quite stoic isn’t he, but he was absolutely gone,” Sinitta on Nicky Byrne HQ podcast.

Liam died at the age of 31 in October ( 
Image:

Getty)

“Just holding the phone, he was just sobbing. It’s the first time in my life I thought ‘well we normally come to you when we don’t know what to do,’ but he was absolutely devastated. They were like his babies. He went on this journey with them, he was part of it – he was almost the sixth member.”

Sinitta also addressed Simon being ‘blamed’ for Liam’s tragic passing as she insisted that it was ‘unfair’ for the music mogul. Sinitta insisted that while Liam was ‘very young’, he was still a ‘grown man and in charge of his own life’. “You can’t bubble wrap everyone,” the star insisted.

Simon was seen sobbing while speaking to Liam’s mother and father while at the late star’s funeral in November. Simon joined Liam’s One Direction bandmates and his former girlfriend Cheryl, who shares seven-year-old son Bear with the late One Direction star.

Following Liam’s death, Simon shared his grief over the tragic news in a heartbreaking statement which read: “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.

Sinitta has shared Simon’s reaction about Liam’s death ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Liam fell to his death in Argentina ( 
Image:
WireImage)
“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.”

He continued: “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. Simon X.”