Britain’s Got Talent hosts Ant and Dec have been snapped looking sombre as filming on their ITV show was paused following Liam Payne’s death.
The One Direction singer died on Wednesday (16 October) aged 31 after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, leaving the showbiz world reeling. Filming on the Britain’s Got Talent auditions had been due to go ahead in Blackpool on Thursday, with judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI, who is filling in for usual judge Bruno Tonioli.
But Simon delayed it as a tribute to Liam, who found fame on his show The X Factor back in 2010.
READ MORE: Liam Payne’s final hours – ‘erratic’ behaviour, smashed-up room and frantic 911 call
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Applause Store, the company responsible for arranging tickets for the series’ filming, said: “Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has decided to postpone today’s auditions in Blackpool. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
(Image: PA)
Ant and Dec were snapped leaving The Grand Hotel in Lytham Saint Annes, Lancashire, as it was announced that auditions had been postponed. Both were casually dressed and looked serious as they left the premises.
Liam first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 when he was 14, but it was when he returned two years later that he made a splash. He tried out alone, but Simon and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger put him together with Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson and they became One Direction.
(Image: PA)
The X Factor has paid tribute following news of Liam’s death by sharing a black and white image of the singer on Instagram. “We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” the moving message said.
“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 singer had been spending time in Argentina with girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who flew home to the US in the days before he died.
(Image: PA)
His death was confirmed on Wednesday night, with a local ambulance manager saying in a statement: “At 17.04 through the 911 integrated public safety system, we were alerted of a person who was in an internal courtyard of the management of a south house hotel. At 17.11 a SAME team arrived and verified the death of this man and later we found out that he was a singer in a musical group. Unfortunately, he had injuries that were incompatible with life, as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death, there was no possibility of resuscitation.”
No official toxicology reports have been released but there has been speculation about whether the star was under the influence. Local media reports have suggested that prior to Liam’s death there had been reports of an “aggressive” man who was possibly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
