‘Devastated’ Simon Cowell is set to take a step back from filming Britain’s Got Talent in the wake of Liam Payne‘s death, with judge Bruno Tonioli stepping in to take his place.
The 31-year-old former One Direction singer plunged 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires yesterday, prompting a wave of tributes from across the showbiz world.
Filming for the hit ITV1 show was paused yesterday after news broke of Liam Payne’s tragic death, the Sun reports.
Recording is set to pick back up on Saturday with Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, KSI and Bruno on the panel while the mourning mogul grieves the popstar’s death.
‘This news has hit Simon incredibly hard – he is utterly shocked and devastated,’ a source told The Sun.
Mourning music mogul Simon Cowell has stepped down from filming Britain’s Got Talent in the wake of Liam Payne’s sudden death at the age of 31
Cowell, 65, was a judge on X Factor and signed One Direction to his music label, Syco after their stint on the show in 2010 (Pictured left to right: Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan)
Former One Direction member Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires at the age of 31 yesterday
‘He adored Liam, and was close to his family with whom he is sure to reach out privately. He didn’t feel it was right to continue with filming BGT, and when it resumes on Saturday, does not feel he’ll be in the right head space to continue.
‘All the judges and production crew are being hugely supportive.’
A spokesperson for Freemantle UK, the programme’s producer announced they wee halting auditions for the Britain’s Got Talent yesterday.
Their statement read: ‘ Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the Britain’s Got Talent auditions. Our thoughts are with Liam’s friends, family and all who loved him.”
Cowell, 65, was a judge on X Factor and signed One Direction to his music label, Syco. It come shortly after the music mogul was pictured for the first time since Liam Payne‘s tragic death – as X Factor stars Katie Waissel and Rebecca Ferguson took aim at the music industry over the ‘exploitation’ of young stars.
Cowell was seen this afternoon in the back seat of a car in Blackpool, where he was holding auditions for Britain’s Got Talent before cancelling them at the last minute after hearing of Payne’s death yesterday in Buenos Aires.
It comes hours after Waissel, a 38-year-old singer-songwriter who auditioned alongside Payne on the 2010 series of X Factor, name-checked Cowell in two statements in which she accused music bosses of focusing on ‘profits rather than people’.
Simon Cowell was seen this afternoon in Blackpool, where he was holding auditions for Britain’s Got Talent before cancelling them at the last minute
Cowell, who wore a pair of Aviator sunglasses, had been holding auditions for Britain’s Got Talent
Liam’s first ever X Factor audition in 2008, when he was just 14
Cowell (middle) with (from left to right) Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik
Waissel first took to X last night to reveal her heartbreak at her friend’s death, writing: ‘My heart is completely torn to shreds right now, I am at an absolute loss for words.
‘If Simon Cowell dare put a statement out on the heart-wrenching, tragic loss of my dear and darling friend Liam, he would be a fool. We all know the truth… and I’ll be sure it all comes out.’
She later released a long statement in which she described Payne as ‘my confidant and my rock’, before turning her focus to her views on the state of the music industry.
‘Liam was kind, with a pure heart, a sharp mind, and the wisdom of an old soul. His warmth and compassion left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,’ Waissel wrote.
‘His tragic passing not only leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who loved him but also serves as a painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry.
‘There are those who had a responsibility to provide the care and support necessary for the well-being of young artists, but too often, the focus remained on profits rather than the people.
‘This industry has treated talent like commodities, and the negligence of duty of care has once again led to a heart-wrenching loss. We need only look at Simon Cowell’s recent interview with Steven Bartlett, where he admits his greatest regret was not owning the band’s name.
‘The real regret should be the failure to prioritize the emotional and physical welfare of the artists who put their trust in these institutions. Contracts, whether they are for television shows or record deals, come with a legal and moral duty of care that must be upheld.’
Katie Waissel, a 38-year-old singer-songwriter who auditioned alongside Payne on the 2010 series of X Factor, name-checked Cowell in two statements today
Rebecca Ferguson, who also appeared on X Factor in 2010 alongside Payne and Waissel, also intervened today
Cowell was being driven through Blackpool in a Mercedes when he was pictured earlier today
The music mogul was a judge on X Factor and signed One Direction to his music label, Syco
Waissel first took to X last night to reveal her heartbreak at her friend’s death
She later released a long statement in which she described Payne as ‘ my confidant and my rock’, before turning her focus to her views on the state of the music industry’
Waissel said her heart ‘breaks’ for Payne’s family and she felt ‘so deeply sorry for all that you went through’.
She added: ‘The change the industry so desperately needs will come, and we will honor your legacy until it does. Keep singing in the sky, my friend. With all my love, Katie.’
Rebecca Ferguson, who also appeared on X Factor in 2010 alongside Payne and Waissel, has previously shared her views that the music industry is hiding ‘awful human rights abuses’ and claimed that she has endured ‘systematic misogyny and bullying’ throughout her career.
Today the singer released her own tribute to Payne on X, writing: ‘It’s always a hotel room! We both met at Euston Station and shared the taxi together to X Factor, young, innocent and unaffected by fame.
‘I can’t help but think of that boy who was hopeful and looking forward to his bright future ahead. If he hadn’t jumped on that train and jumped in that taxi I believe he would be alive today.
‘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 [post traumatic stress disorder].
‘Many of us are devastated and reflective today as it has finally taken its first victim. Rest in Peace Liam, I hope you find peace on the other side and love to your mum and family x.’
Ferguson, who also appeared on X Factor in 2010 alongside Payne and Waissel, also shared her views on X
Liam giving an interview on X Factor when he was aged 14
Payne in a selfie he shared from Argentina hours before his tragic death
Cowell pictured in front of an audience in Blackpool last night
Cowell – second from right – seen yesterday at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool for Britain’s Got Talent auditions. They have now been cancelled
It comes as Payne’s family described feeling ‘heartbroken’ by his tragic and untimely death, adding that the former One Direction star will ‘forever live in our hearts’.
Payne’s relatives said in an emotional statement: ‘We are heartbroken. 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.’
Payne’s uncle Roger Harris also told MailOnline: ‘We are all just deeply saddened and trying to come to terms with it. I just hope everybody gives them some privacy really and allows them to come to terms with it. That’s all I can say.’
In addition, another relative speaking at Payne’s family home in Wolverhampton told MailOnline: ‘We are utterly devastated by the news.’
The singer died after falling from the third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.
MailOnline has contacted Syco for comment.