Simon Cowell's heartbreaking tribute to One Direction's Liam Payne as he's left feeling 'empty'

One Direction star Liam Payne has died at the age of 31

Music mogul Simon Cowell has shared heartfelt words following the tragic passing of Liam Payne, the well-known One Direction singer. Liam lost his life at the age of 31 on Wednesday after a fall from the third storey of a hotel in Buenos Aires' Palermo district, Argentina.

Simon took to Instagram to express his feelings: "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.

"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."

The Mirror reports that the music boss 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 know 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 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."

Simon first encountered the future star when Liam was but a teenager with big dreams. At the tender age of 14, Liam impressed Simon with his audition for The X Factor in 2008, prompting the judge to ask him to come back, which he did two years later.

At 16, Liam tried out as a solo performer but saw his journey take a significant turn when he joined forces with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson to create One Directionone of the show's most phenomenal successes.

Although they became global sensations, One Direction finished third on the talent show, behind Rebecca Ferguson and victor Matt Cardle. A 2010 clip capturing the band's inception shows judge Nicole Scherzinger suggesting Liam "actually may be the leader" as the group is formed.

One Direction went on to craft five albums, clinching seven Brit Awards, celebrating chart-toppers from their first smash 'What Makes You Beautiful' in 2012, to 'History' off their final album in 2015, which came just months before Zayn's departure. Following Zayns decision to seek "some private time out of the spotlight in March 2015, the band endeavoured to press forward as a foursome, but ultimately opted for an indefinite hiatus in 2016.

Their farewell TV performance was in December 2015, and despite persistent whispers of reunions, nothing concrete has materialised.Dermot O'Leary, the well-known host of The X Factor, was among the first to honour Liam following his tragic passing. On Instagram, Dermot shared an image of them together on stage, with the caption: "The worst news".

Reflecting on their time together, he added: "I remember him as a 14-year-old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing," and noted, "He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble".

Olly Murs, who found fame on The X Factor a year prior to One Direction's formation, expressed his shock on Instagram, saying he was "lost for words" and called Payne's death "devastating". Alongside a photo of the two, Olly shared: "We always had a good laugh when we saw each other, sometimes the catch ups were only short and sweet but when we did it was mostly about how annoyingly good his hair always looked, or our love for Becks, the old XF (X Factor) days and the tour we shared together," and lamented, "Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I'm truly gutted and devastated for his family and of course his son Bear losing a dad."