Simon Cowell Pauses Filming on Britain’s Got Talent After Liam Payne’s Death

Simon Cowell is taking a break amid difficult news.

The 65-year-old has paused production on his ITV show Britain’s Got Talent following the  shocking death of One Direction alum Liam Payne. The show had been filming auditions in Blackpool, England, prior to the “Strip That Down” singer’s death at 31.

“Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has decided to postpone today’s auditions in Blackpool,” Applause store, who organized tickets for filming, said in a statement per The Independent on Oct. 17. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

“We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” read an Oct. 17 statement shared to the show’s official Instagram account, alongside a black and white photo of the late singer. “He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.”

On Oct. 16, Payne suffered a fatal fall from the third-floor balcony of his hotel in Argentina, local medical personnel told Telemundo.

Following his death the family of the singer—who was dad to son Bear, 7, with ex Cheryl Cole, expressed their grief.

“We are heartbroken,” his family said in a statement, obtained by BBC. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”

They continued, "We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

For more celebrity tribures to Payne, read on. 

"We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne," the show—which Liam was apart of for two seasons in 2008 as a solo artist and with One Direction in 2010—wrote in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. "He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world. Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him."

The drummer, who toured with One Direction, shared a heartfelt tribute to social media. 

"Heartbreaking news," he wrote in an Oct. 17 Instagram Story. "I just pray for Liam's family, and all that knew and loved him. Some of my fav memories in life were because of this man. No words."

"We are heartbroken," Liam's family told the BBC. "Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

The boyband, made up of Nick Carter, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson and Howie Dorough, shared their condolences.

"Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat," the statement on X, formerly Twitter, said. "Our hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends, and Directioners around the world. Rest in peace brother.

The "Want U Back" singer, who competed alongside One Direction on The X Factor in 2010, wrote a heartfelt message to the late member on Instagram, alongside a throwback photo of the pair. 

"From being on the show together, visiting each others homes while filming, going on tour together and watching you achieve your dreams," Cher wrote on Instagram Oct. 17. "I’ll cherish the memories made and the laughs we had. My thoughts are with your family and friends, with everyone who loves you. My heart is breaking for your Son Bear. Rest in peace Liam."

The former X Factor contestant, who competed alongside One Direction in 2010, wrote a lengthy X, formerly Twitter, post memorializing Liam and speaking out against fame. 

"I've spoken for years about the exploitation and profiteering of young stars and the effects—many of us are still living with the aftermath and the PTSD," she wrote. "Rest in peace Liam, I hope you find peace on the other side, and love to your mum and family."

"I'm devastated," the singer, who sang with Liam on the single "For You," wrote on X, formerly Twitter Oct. 17. "He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much—he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P."

Niall Horan's older brother wrote a lengthy tribute to the One Direction member in an Instagram post. 

"To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement," Greg wrote in an Oct. 17 post. "A weird feeling this morning and all night you were a top young boy to a man a son a brother you are only one of 4 lads I was happy enough to take my place in nialls life as a brother you will be forever missed Liam."

He continued with a note on the blended family between the five members of One Direction. 

"My heart goes out to your family, parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers," he continued. "10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on the all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo."

Zayn Malik's three sisters paid tribute to the late One Direction member in their respective Instagram stories, each calling his death "heartbreaking," and following up with photos of Liam with their brother. 

"I have no words," Waliyha, who appeared in the "Story of My Life" music video, wrote in an Instagram Story. "Literally heartbroken. RIP."

As an avid fan of One Direction, Noah wrote a tribute to the late member in a heartfelt Instagram Story. 

"I'm not ever going to be able to fully voice how I am feeling," Noah wrote. "But I feel so fortunate to have been in the same generation as Liam Payne and the pheneomenon of 1D. Liam you are so loved and will always be loved by so many."

The "I Burned LA Down" singer continued with a note on how much One Direction meant to her, and sent condolences to Liam's family and friends, as well as other fans. 

"Rest in peace Liam," she finished. "I really wish you so much peace beyond this world. You deserve it."

Harry Styles' mom shared an emoji of a broke heart, writing in the caption on Instagram, "Just a boy..." 

"This news is devastating, am lost for words," the X Factor runner-up wrote on Instagram. "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 days and the tour we shared together."

The musician continued, "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 x am thinking of them! RIP Liam."

"RIP Liam," the DJ shared on X. "Can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking."

In a post shared on his Instagram Story, the "See You Again" singer said Liam was "always so kind to me."

"He was one of the first major artists I got to work with," Charlie, who worked with the One Direction alum on 2017's "Bedroom Floor," continued. "I can not believe he is gone."

"Just talked to you 2 days ago my guy," the rapper wrote on his Instagram Story. "Ima miss u fr fr sucio."

"So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing," the Simple Life star wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones.  RIP my friend."

"This is heartbreaking,” the Bachelor in Paradise alum wrote on her Instagram Story, sharing a photo of herself with Liam. "He had one of my favorite boy band voices. I’ll always remember when my friend was turning me into a One Direction fan in grad school and she showed me their performance of ‘Gotta Be You’ on the X Factor."

she continued, "The first verse he sang converted me into a fan instantly. I had chills. My heart goes out to his family and friends."

The Wanted singer said he was "devastated" by Liam's passing.

"Liam was an unbelievably supportive during one of the most difficult times in my life," he shared on X. "I will never forget that. My thoughts are with his family, friends and fans at this horrendous time. Rest in peace Liam."

"FOR SO MANY YEARS I ALWAYS KNEW I COULD CALL YOU FOR SUPPORT AND BIG BROTHERLY ADVICE BUT NOW YOU'RE GONE...," the English singer wrote on her Instagram Story. "MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH LIAMS FAMILY AND FRIENDS DURING THIS TIME YOU'LL BE SO MISSED."

"R.I.P. Liam Payne," the rapper, who collaborated with Liam on the 2016 track "You," wrote on X, "wow I can't believe it prayers up for the family."

The X Factor alums shared in an X statement, "Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One direction Family RIP @LiamPayne."

"RIP to Liam Payne," the Public Enemy founder wrote on X. "Much too young."

“Damn this Liam Payne news got me speechless … looked up to 1D so much during the wdw days," the former Why Don’t We boy bander shared on X. "You really never know when it’s your time to go. remind your friends/family that you love them today and every day."

"Good grief," the newscaster wrote on X. "What a shocking tragedy."

Jack Johnson of Jack & Jack called news of Liam's death "gut wrenching."

"Was such a nice guy the few times me and G ran into him," he recalled on X. "that’s so sad."

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