Simon Cowell 'feels sick' and is 'reflecting' after Liam Payne's death

Cowell is said to be 'gutted' about the death of Liam, who he saw as a 'son' after putting One Direction together on ITV The X Factor in 2010.

Simon Cowell "feels sick" over Liam Payne's death as he saw the One Direction star "as a son". Britain's Got Talent star Cowell is said to be 'gutted' about the death of Liam, who he saw as a 'son' after putting One Direction together on ITV The X Factor in 2010.

A source told the Mail: "Simon is gutted with the Liam news. Simon has a son that he loves more than anything and in essence the boys from One Direction were his first set of sons, he spent so much time with them, and he loves all of them."

"This is a tragedy, and he has so many emotions going through him at this time," the insider said. Payne had previously auditioned in 2008 when he was 14, and performed a rendition of Frank Sinatra's hit Fly Me To The Moon for judges Simon and Louis Walsh.

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Although he made it through to the Judges' Houses round, Payne was ultimately sent home. Simon encouraged Payne to try out again in 'two years,' which is when he'd achieve global superstardom as part of the boy band One Direction.

The insider continued: "Liam was such an important person in his life and Simon is sick that this happened. He is holding the memories he has with Payne close to his heart. It is just an absolute nightmare, and a very sad thing to deal with.

"It really is a moment of reflection for Simon, he's trying to figure out what he can do to help his family, he wants to do something for Liam, but that will all take some time, he has to deal with the tragedy for the time being. It is very hard and very sad."

It comes as Cowell has taken a step back from filming Britain's Got Talent following Payne's death. Production is set to pick back up on Saturday with Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, KSI and Bruno Tonioli 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. "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."