SIMON Cowell broke down and “sobbed” uncontrollably after being told of Liam Payne’s tragic death.
The music mogul’s close friend Sinitta, 61, has revealed for the first time how Simon, 65, reacted to Liam’s passing in October, when the One Direction singer plunged to his death from the third floor balcony of his hotel in Buenos Aires aged just 31.
Sinitta revealed Simon “sobbed” at the news of Liam’s death[/caption]
Simon had a close relationship with the One Direction band members[/caption]
Simon’s best pal Sinitta revealed how he was left devastated by the singer’s fatal fall[/caption]
The Eighties icon also claimed his passing was made even harder for Simon after he received “unfair” criticism from fans, who partly “blamed” the X Factor boss for Liam going off the rails.
Sinitta said: “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.
“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.”
On Simon being “blamed” for his death, she added: “I think it was a bit unfair because some people were blaming him, saying he should have done something but even though he was very young, he was still a grown man and in charge of his own life.
“You can’t bubble wrap everyone.”
Simon joined mourners, including Liam’s former partner Cheryl, the mother of his seven-year-old son Bear, and his One Direction band-mates at the late star’s funeral in November.
He was seen visibly upset during an encounter with Liam’s parents in the grounds of St Mary’s Church in Amersham, Bucks, where the service was held.
Simon first met Liam aged just 14 when the singer attempted to audition for the X Factor.
He was told to return two years later, as he was too young to participate, and successfully made his way through the auditions before Simon, plus fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger, added him to a boyband line-up which later became One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik.
Sinitta, who worked on the X Factor with Simon, recalls meeting a young Liam, who she claimed was destined to be a performer, and expressed how she felt upon hearing the news of his shock death.
Speaking about the singer on the Nicky Byrne HQ podcast, she said: “He knew he wanted to be a pop star – it was in his bones
“The night that it happened, I’d gone to bed early but hadn’t turned my phone off properly. My phone kept buzzing but I was too sleepy, then it dawned on me – I’m being frantically called, something has happened – it gave me a feeling of dread.
“I couldn’t process my thoughts for a couple of days because you’re just going ‘what? Little Liam?’
Simon formed the band in 2010 on The X Factor[/caption]
Liam passed away last year[/caption]
Simon proudly watches Liam accept an award at the Brits in 2017[/caption]
Simon was among the mourners at Liam’s funeral[/caption]
“It was just the saddest, most awful thing. His poor parents and family. It’s the worst phone call you never want to get.”
Sinitta also believes it’s wrong to say fame brought so many negatives into Liam’s life.
She added: “People blame a lot of it on his success, you know, ‘if he hadn’t been a big pop star…’, but if you rewind and try and erase that part, you’re erasing everything else as well. You’re erasing Bear, you can’t do that.
“But of course you would trade it, just to have him at home playing football in the garden – no fame, no money.”
She added: “He was so driven, the fact that he sneaked in as a little boy of 14 he knew that was his destiny.
“You kind of feel like it was meant to be, even though it turned out the way it did.”
Liam Payne’s sad death
On October 16, 2024, Liam Payne sadly died, leaving family, friends and fans devastated.
Here we take you through the biggest stories to unfold since his tragic passing:
- Liam’s death is announced.
- The star’s family release a heartbreaking statement.
- Liam’s cause of death revealed after he fell from a balcony.
- The singer’s One Direction bandmates pay tribute.
- Cheryl Cole describes ‘earth shattering’ agony following the death of son’s father.
- Mourners gather at vigils around the world to honour the late star.
- Liam’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy makes an emotional tribute.
- Liam’s body is flown back to the UK with his family.
- Zayn Malik reschedules his tour dates due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ following Liam’s death.
- Liam’s family announce his funeral.
