Simon Cowell pays tribute to Liam Payne: X Factor mogul who propelled One Direction to fame is supported by partner Lauren Silverman at star’s funeral
Simon Cowell has arrived for the funeral of One Direction star Liam Payne a month after the singer’s tragic death in Argentina.
Payne died aged 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
Following Payne’s death, Cowell posted a moving tribute to the singer describing him as a ‘kind, funny and talented’, pop star, who ‘never forgot the fans’.
The music mogul met Payne when he auditioned for X Factor for the very first time at the age of 14.
In his tribute to the star in October, Cowell wrote: ‘You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens.
‘Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty.
‘This is so difficult to put in 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.
Simon Cowell has arrived for the funeral of One Direction star Liam Payne
Cowell arrived at the funeral with his partner Laura Silverman
Cowell walked past floral displays showing bowling pins and a ball – a nod to Payne’s love of bowling
Simon Cowell (centre) and Lauren Silverman (right) after the funeral service for One Direction singer Liam Payne
Simon Cowell was the music mogul behind Liam Payne’s boyband One Direction (Pictured together in 2013)
Simon Cowell previously broke his silence on Liam Payne’s sudden death in Buenos Aires
The music mogul met Payne when he auditioned for X Factor for the very first time at the age of 14 (Pictured: Simon Cowell and Liam Payne)
Simon has released a touching tribute to Liam on Instagram describing him as ‘kind, funny and talented
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‘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.
‘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 met all of those years ago.
He continued: ‘I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eyes 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 reading 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’
Harry Styles has also arrived at the funeral alongside his fellow One Direction bandmates
Zayn Malik looked forlorn as he arrived at the church in the Home Counties
Niall Horan pictured arriving at the funeral. The star had hosted Liam at a concert in Argentina shortly before his death
Louis Tomlinson seen arriving at the funeral of Liam Payne this afternoon
Harry Styles has also arrived at the funeral alongside his fellow One Direction bandmates and a host of other stars.
Styles 30, Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, were also seen walking into the church for what is their first public meeting as a group since their last concert in 2015.
The funeral’s location has been a closely guarded secret, and local residents only realised it was taking place when ‘no parking’ signs were erected around the church.
Payne travelled to Argentina in September where he watched former bandmate Niall Horan perform and also saw his close friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores. He had extended his stay to renew his visa to live in the US when the tragedy occurred.
