Simon Cowell says he is 'devastated' and 'heartbroken' at death of Liam Payne

The music mogul said he feels “empty” in a now-deleted statement posted on Instagram following the death of the former One Direction member.

Simon Cowell has said he is “devastated” after the death of One Direction star Liam Payne, adding “every tear I have shed is a memory for you”.

Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, also took to social media to say she loved him "unconditionally and completely" and that she has been at a "complete loss" since his death.

In a statement posted on Instagram, she said: “Thank you for all of the kind words and love that has been sent my way. I have been at a complete loss. Nothing about the past few days have felt real.

“I ask and pray that you’ll give me the space to navigate this in private. Liam, my angel, you are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam. “

Cowell posted a tribute to the former boy band star on his Instagram account on Friday evening, before deleting it minutes later and then reposting it.

“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” he said in a statement on Instagram. “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 for 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.”

Cowell continued: "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. 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."

The statement continued: "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.

"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."

It comes after his former bandmates posted a joint statement, saying they are "completely devastated" by the loss of their "brother". It was the first post on the band's Instagram account in four years.

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In a separate statement, Louis Tomlinson, 32, wrote that Payne was “the most vital part of One Direction” and added that he would be telling his young son Bear “stories of how amazing his dad was”.

Zayn Malik said he never got to thank him for supporting him through "some of the most difficult times", and that he respected Payne, despite "butting heads" a few times.

While Harry Styles said "Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve", and the years they spent together will remain "the most cherished" of his life. Niall Horan said he is "absolutely devastated" at the loss of his "amazing friend".

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