What did you miss?
Simon Cowell has returned to television for the first time since the death of Liam Payne.
The Britain’s Got Talent mogul stepped out in London for the Pride of Britain Awards days after former One Direction singer Payne died aged 31 after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cowell was among the many celebs in the audience at the event.
He also presented an award to a five-year-old who lost her legs and fingers because of sepsis.
What, how and why?
Cowell had known Payne since the start of his career, after the singer tried out for his show The X Factor when he was just 14. He has said he feels “devastated” by his death, and postponed Britain’s Got Talent auditions in the wake of the news.
However, he attended the Pride of Britain awards where he presented a special prize to five-year-old Aiyla Mota. Mota was put into an induced coma for 22 days and had both her legs as well as five fingers amputated at three. But she went on to amaze everyone with her recovery, working hard to do all the things she loves.
Mota was told she was getting a Pride of Britain Award when she was on a special visit to Britain’s Got Talent, where she met judge Alesha Dixon and got to sit on the panel. He joked about it at the ceremony, teasingly asking if she sat in his chair and saying he would give her a job on the TV show.
Hosts Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo joked about Cowell forgetting Mota’s award, so she was presented with a special gold medal instead.
Simon Cowell ‘heartbroken’ over Liam Payne
Cowell had a long relationship with Payne after they met on The X Factor. After his first audition, Cowell suggested that Payne return, which he did, two years later in 2010. It was then that Cowell and fellow panelist Nicole Scherzinger put Liam into One Direction along with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
After Payne’s death on 16 October, Cowell wrote on Instagram: “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens. Liam, I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.
“This is so difficult to put into 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. 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.”
Looking back to when they first crossed paths at Payne’s audition on The X Factor, he added: “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 know Liam.”
Cowell recalled meeting with Payne last year where the late star discussed his joy at being a father to seven-year-old Bear, whom he shares with his ex Cheryl.
He said: “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 had met all of those years ago.
“I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have. And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.
“I always thought the 5 of you in the band as brothers. And regarding 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.”
