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Simon Cowell is momentarily retreating from the public eye after the heartbreaking demise of his former mentee Liam Payne.
The taping for “Britain’s Got Talent,” the enduring contest series that Simon established, was canceled on Thursday following the One Direction star’s death in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday.
This reaction is expected considering Simon’s extensive history with Liam and his band, One Direction. Keep in mind, Simon was the architect behind the beloved boy band formed on “The X Factor (UK)” … yet another talent show pioneered by the music tycoon.
From that point, Simon guided Liam, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan to a 3rd place finish in the competition … but they ascended to fame after the conclusion of the show and signed with SC’s Syco Records.
The “American Idol” veteran was preparing to take his place back on the judging panel alongside Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and special guest judge KSI … who had previously snapped selfies on the ‘BGT’ set hours prior to Liam’s untimely passing.
Applause Store, the firm responsible for arranging tickets for the auditions in the UK, announced that the unfortunate event has necessitated a halt in production, stating … “In light of the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has opted to delay today’s auditions in Blackpool. We apologize for any trouble this may cause.”
As previously reported by TMZ, Liam was announced deceased at his accommodation in Buenos Aires, following his visit to the South American city to cheer on his former bandmate Niall at a concert.
The artist fell from a hotel balcony, and emergency personnel were unable to revive him. He was just 31 years old.
Many celebrities have since honored the late star, including former “X Factor” contestants Dermot O’Leary, Olly Murs, Jedward, and Rylan Clark.
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“The X Factor” conveyed an official message on social platforms — “We are devastated by the tragic loss of Liam Payne. His immense talent and contribution as a member of One Direction will leave a profound impact on the music scene and fans worldwide. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his friends, family, and everyone who cherished him.”
We anticipate further updates in the future … stay tuned.