Simon Cowell recalls moment he was told Liam Payne had died

Simon Cowell has spoken about the moment he was informed of Liam Payne’s death, describing it as an experience that left him in shock. Speaking on The Interview podcast from The New York Times, Cowell said he was told the news by a colleague whose expression immediately signalled something was wrong.

He explained: “Someone who I worked with, very closely, came into my room and I could tell from the look on her face that she was upset, then she told me.” He compared the feeling to when he learned of his father’s death, saying it was difficult to describe “other than just a shock”.

Payne died on 16 October 2024 in Buenos Aires after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel. Cowell said that in the moment he heard the news, he “wasn’t thinking clearly” and asked for Payne’s parents to be contacted, adding that as a parent, he felt compelled to reach out.

Cowell said he had seen Payne a year earlier in the same room where he later heard the news, recalling that the singer was “in a really good place”.

He said they discussed fitness, family and the pressures surrounding fame. Cowell reflected on the responsibilities that come with guiding young artists, noting that while he offers support, he cannot be present at every stage of their lives.

He also referred to the advice he had shared with Payne about managing public attention and the wider challenges of success.

He spoke about moments he wished he could revisit, wondering whether different conversations might have helped, while acknowledging the limits of what can be done.

Cowell first met Payne when he auditioned for The X Factor at age 14. Following Payne’s death, he released a tribute speaking about the singer’s kindness, talent and connection with fans. Cowell was later seen offering support to Payne’s parents, Geoff and Karen, after the funeral.