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Simon Cowell's First Public Appearance After Liam Payne's Death

Published October 22, 2024

Simon Cowell has made his first public appearance since the death of Liam Payne.

The music mogul, 65, attended the Pride of Britain awards on Monday night at London's The Grosvenor House Hotel.

While many celebrities dazzled on the red carpet, Simon chose to forego the spotlight and went directly into the ceremony, as reported by The Sun.

Simon, who is no stranger to the Pride Of Britain events, later took the stage to honor his friend and journalist Peter Willis, who died at the age of 54. Peter was known as the mastermind behind these beloved awards.

This appearance follows days of mourning for Liam Payne, whose untimely death led Simon to cancel a day of auditions for Britain's Got Talent.

Last week, Simon expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of the One Direction star, who tragically fell from a balcony in Argentina, passing away at the age of 31.

A spokesperson for the program's producer, Freemantle UK, announced: 'In light of the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the Britain's Got Talent auditions. Our thoughts are with Liam's friends, family, and all who cherished him.'

Simon first met Liam when he auditioned for X Factor at the young age of 14. The music mogul revealed a heartfelt tribute to the 'kind, funny, and talented' pop star, saying that Liam always held his fans close to his heart.

He shared, 'You never really know how you feel about someone until moments like this happen. Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. I feel empty.'

In his touching tribute, Simon recalled the fond memories they shared and reflected on Liam's impressive character. 'Every tear I have shed is a memory of you,' he wrote.

Simon stated, 'I often told people what you were like: kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, and humble. You cared so much about music and your fans.'

He reminisced about their pledge when they first met—that they would meet again. Despite the challenges, Liam persevered and soon became a global sensation as part of One Direction.

Simon's emotional statements conveyed the bond they had, emphasizing how much Liam meant to him and many others. 'You left us too soon, but your spirit will always remain in our hearts.' Simon concluded with a heartfelt note to Liam's family, sending his love and prayers.

Before his sudden death, Liam had been enjoying time in Argentina, attending his former bandmate Niall Horan's tour. Days before his tragic passing, he shared moments of joy and fun with his partner, Kate Cassidy, and took the time to reflect on life.

Simon Cowell's appearance at the awards not only highlighted his ongoing support for charitable events but showcased his resilience in the face of personal tragedy.

Simon, Cowell, Liam