Music mogul Simon Cowell has paid tribute to former One Direction member Liam Payne following his death at the age of 31 and said “every tear I shed is a memory of you”.
Celebrities from across the music industry and beyond have been remembering the singer after police in Argentina said he died falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires.
Payne found fame alongside Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles when Cowell, 65, put them together to form One Direction on ITV show The X Factor.
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In a post to Instagram, Cowell said the singer’s son Bear, whom he shares with former X Factor judge Cheryl, will be “so proud” of what he has achieved.
He said: “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens.
“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.”
He added: “I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye you have.
“And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.”
He added: “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.”
