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Simon Cowell was 'in pieces' and 'disappeared' following the death of Liam Payne

Former X Factor boss Simon Cowell has opened up about the death of One Direction star Liam Payne and admitted he was 'in pieces' when he learnt of his passing in 2024

[Simon has opened up about the loss of Liam Payne]

Simon has opened up about the loss of Liam Payne(Image: Getty Images)

Liam Payne tragically passed away in October 2024 at just 31-years-old when he fell from a third floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina with traces of drugs and alcohol discovered in his system. Now Simon Cowell, who put One Direction together on X Factor back in 2010, has opened up about how the loss affected him.

When Simon, 66, heard the tragic news he was filming Netflix series The Next Act, a show which echoed X Factor which was responsible for putting Liam in the spotlight, and he broke down and 'disappeared' for days.

Speaking to Jamie East on Tales From the Celebrity Trenches, the music mogul said: "Because of what happened with Liam in the middle of all of this it was like, 'wow'.

[Simon discovered One Direction on X Factor]

Simon discovered One Direction on X Factor(Image: Getty Images)

"What do you do in a situation like that? Because it was so bad. I was in pieces.

"There were so many things going on in my head. I literally just disappeared somewhere for a week to think everything through because I knew I was really, really struggling here."

Simon added that the rise of influencers and TikTok has made it feel like "the whole world wants to be famous" but he's taking steps to look after any talent and ensure they have the necessary help available to them.

The TV star shared: "My responsibility is to go: Look, if it works and you're successful, that's a good thing.

"However, of course your life changes and there are going to be times when it's going to be really stressful, really hard.

"And I will help you prep for it and I will be there if you need me."

[Liam tragically passed away in 2024]

Liam tragically passed away in 2024(Image: ITV)

Cowell noted that he's seen the spotlight "create monsters" and he's been let down by some of his own idols.

"What I've seen is when you go into the green room and you're doing a TV show, and there's a guest and you walk into that green room and there's someone you're really starstruck by and they are awful, just horrible people and you go, 'wow you are...'"

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