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Simon Cowell has cancelled the ongoing Britain's Got Talent auditions following the tragic death of Liam Payne. Payne, who rose to fame under Cowell's mentorship on The X Factor, passed away at the age of 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Applause Store, the organisers of tickets for the show, confirmed the postponement, stating, "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."
Simon Cowell, who famously formed One Direction in 2010, has yet to make a public statement regarding Payne's passing. However, insiders revealed that the news hit him "incredibly hard" as he was very close to Payne and his family. "Simon adored Liam," said a source, adding that Cowell is currently taking time to grieve privately. The source also noted, "He didn't feel it was right to continue with filming BGT and doesn't believe he'll be in the right headspace to return on Saturday."
This is not the first time Cowell has shown such sensitivity in the wake of personal loss. His strong bond with Payne was no secret, with the One Direction star previously saying that Cowell "created the boyband around him." Payne also credited Cowell for fostering his relationship with Cheryl, the mother of his son, Bear.
The X Factor also released an official statement following Payne's death, paying tribute to his talent and influence. "We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne. 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 statement read.
Impromptu vigils were held outside the Buenos Aires hotel where the accident occurred. Fans were seen lighting candles and leaving flowers.
