Simon Cowell said he is devastated and heartbroken

The 65-year-old mentored One Direction on the X Factor and signed the band after they came third on the show.

Speaking about the late singer, Cowell said Payne was a humble, loving, and talented person.

He said he is struggling to come to terms with the singer's harrowing passing.

In a statement on Instagram, Cowell said he feels 'empty' after the singer's sudden death.

"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," he shared.

"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."

He continued, "And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans."

Cowell praised Payne for really caring about the fans

Cowell reflected on the time Payne auditioned for The X Factor when he was only 14 years old.

"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 the 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."

Cowell said he met up with Payne last year and they reminisced about the fun times they had together.

Cowell said Payne spoke about how proud he was to be a dad during their time together.

"I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eyes you have."

Liam Payne tragically died after falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires. He was 31 years old.

He is survived by his seven-year-old son Bear.

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