Simon Cowell was left devastated when he learned about the death of One Direction star Liam Payne last year, according to his close friend Sinitta who said he was ‘absolutely gone’ and ‘sobbed’
Devastated by the tragic loss, Simon Cowell couldn’t hold back the tears after hearing about the untimely passing of Liam Payne. The One Direction singer tragically died aged 31 last October when he fell from the third floor of a Buenos Aires hotel.
The X Factor judge, aged 65, was reportedly wracked with grief and “sobbed” his heart out, claims Sinitta, his long-time pal. The ‘So Macho’ singer, now 61, revealed how deeply Liam’s demise hit Simon, especially with fans pointing fingers at him for driving the young singer during his dizzying rise to fame post-X Factor, and as part of the global sensation One Direction with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik in tow.
“He was absolutely devastated. I spoke to Simon, obviously it was a private conversation, but he usually contains his emotions, he’s quite stoic isn’t he, but he was absolutely gone,” revealed Sinitta during her appearance on Nicky Byrne HQ podcast.
“Just holding the phone, he was just sobbing. It’s the first time in my life I thought ‘well we normally come to you when we don’t know what to do,’ but he was absolutely devastated. They were like his babies. He went on this journey with them, he was part of it – he was almost the sixth member.”
Sinitta has spoken out about Simon being unfairly ‘blamed’ for the tragic death of Liam. She defended the music mogul, stating that while Liam was ‘very young’, he was a ‘grown man and in charge of his own life’, reports the Mirror.
“You can’t bubble wrap everyone,” she firmly stated. An emotional Simon was spotted at Liam’s funeral in November, tearfully speaking to the late star’s parents.
He joined other mourners including Liam’s One Direction bandmates and his former girlfriend Cheryl, who is the mother of their seven year old son Bear. Following the devastating news of Liam’s passing, Simon expressed his sorrow in a heart-wrenching statement: “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens. Liam, I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.
“This is so difficult to put into words right now. I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together. I wanted to let you know what I would always say to the thousands of people who would always ask me. What is Liam like? And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans.”
He went on to say: “I had to tell you when you were 14 that this wasn’t your time. And we both made a promise that we would meet again. A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t. You came back and within months the whole world knew Liam. And you never forgot the fans. I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you. You really cared. You came to see me last year. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And we reminisced about all of the fun times we had together. And how proud you were to be a dad. After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I had met all of those years ago.
“I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have. And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it. I always thought of the 5 of you in the band as brothers. And regarding their messages today I believe you were. And now Liam, I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon. Rest in peace my friend. And I am sending my love, thoughts and prayers to your family. Simon X.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
