Simon Cowell, the creator of One Direction in 2010, has finally spoken out following the unexpected death of former band member Liam Payne. “You never truly understand your feelings for someone until an event like this occurs,” Cowell posted on Instagram on Friday. “Liam, I am utterly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel hollow.” He added: “And I want you to know how much love and respect I hold for you. Every tear I shed is a testament to my memories of you.” Payne suffered a fractured skull and died instantly from “extremely severe injuries” after falling from his third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina on October 16. An autopsy revealed that he might have been unconscious at the time of the fall. Moreover, two women were present in his room just hours before his tragic demise.

According to the autopsy report, Payne’s cause of death was attributed to “polytrauma, internal and external hemorrhage,” with the cranial brain injuries alone being sufficient to cause death. Additionally, he sustained internal and external hemorrhages in various parts of his body, which “contributed to the mechanism of death.” In response to the singer’s passing, Cowell, 65, announced that the auditions for the reality competition show “Britain’s Got Talent” would be postponed. “Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has decided to postpone today’s auditions in Blackpool. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” Applause Store, which sells tickets for the live show’s filming, wrote on X. A spokesperson for the show’s producer, Freemantle UK, also confirmed the postponement to The Herald, stating, “Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the Britain’s Got Talent auditions.”

Initially, officials had suggested that Payne had “jumped,” but the autopsy report indicated that he had fallen. Pablo Policicchio, the Communications Director for the Buenos Aires Security Ministry, informed Page Six that investigators are still determining whether the fall was accidental or intentional. Cowell first encountered Payne, 31, during “The X Factor” in 2010 when Payne auditioned for the show. Cowell later grouped Payne with Zayn Malik, 31, Harry Styles, 30, Niall Horan, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, to form One Direction. Although the group finished third that year, they went on to become a global sensation, releasing five studio albums, embarking on numerous tours, and earning numerous awards and accolades.

“We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne,” the official “X Factor” account stated after Payne’s death. “He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave an enduring legacy on the music industry and fans worldwide. Our thoughts are with his friends, family, and all who loved him,” the statement continued. Payne’s family has also issued a statement following his passing. “Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul,” the family said. “We are supporting each other as best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this terrible time.” A relative of the family also expressed their “utter devastation,” according to the Daily Mail. Anne Twist, Styles’ mother, posted a red broken heart on Instagram with the caption, “Just a boy…” Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear, whom he shares with British singer Cheryl Cole.

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