Simon Cowell broke down in tears whilst filming his new Netflix documentary series as he paid tribute to Liam Payne following the singer's tragic death.
The six-part programme, titled Simon Cowell: The Next Act, follows the music mogul as he assembles a new boyband.
Production was halted in October 2024 when news emerged that the former One Direction member had died aged 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony in Argentina.
Payne first appeared on The X Factor in 2010, auditioning as a solo performer before being placed into One Direction. The group finished third in the competition but went on to achieve global stardom.
Liam Payne died after falling from a hotel room
|GETTY
Mr Cowell, who mentored the band throughout their X Factor journey, paused filming to honour Mr Payne, whom he said he will "genuinely miss".
Visibly overcome with emotion whilst discussing the singer's sudden passing, Mr Cowell paused and apologised, saying: "Sorry. Oh God."
The Britain's Got Talent judge wiped away tears, admitting: "It's hard, you know?"
He revealed that he had telephoned Mr Payne's parents following the tragedy, reflecting: "When I call his mum and dad and just thinking 'God...' How do you cope with that?"
Simon Cowell became emotional as he talked about the late Liam Payne
|GETTY
Mr Cowell shared fond memories of the young performer, stating: "I remember thinking 'what a sweet, humble boy.'"
He described Mr Payne as grounded and genuine, adding: "He was just so normal and down to earth. He always had a sparkle in his eye. I remember that."
The music producer recalled the warmth audiences felt towards Mr Payne, noting: "And his face, in that moment, everyone adored him."
Mr Cowell reflected on how the loss had affected him deeply, confessing: "You just don't know how you feel about someone until you lose them, you know? And whoa."
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Liam Payne died last October
|GETTY
In an emotional conclusion to his tribute, he declared: "We're just gonna miss him, genuinely miss him."
The music mogul acknowledged he could not continue speaking about Payne at that moment, saying: "I can't say anymore at the moment."
He subsequently revealed that he needed to step away for some solitary reflection, leaving his partner Lauren Silverman and their son Eric behind.
The weight of the tragedy clearly took its toll on Mr Cowell, who required time alone to process his feelings about the young star he had helped launch to international fame fifteen years earlier.
Liam Payne died last October at an Argentina hotel
| PAFollowing his emotional tribute, Mr Cowell gathered the remaining contestants from The Next Act along with their parents for a frank discussion about the realities of pursuing a career in music.
He warned them about the level of dedication required, stating: "The commitment is huge. If you commit, you commit. And there's a lot to think about."
The television judge cautioned the aspiring performers about media scrutiny, explaining: "There are going to be things written about you that aren't true which is frustrating, things that are said about you that are frustrating."
He acknowledged the difficulty of responding to criticism, adding: "Sometimes you can answer back. Often you can't."
Mr Cowell emphasised the mental fortitude necessary for success in the industry, advising: "If you've decided that music is your career, what comes with it is huge.
"And you've got to have really thick skin to get through it."