Simon Cowell ‘steps down’ from Britain’s Got Talent
Sabrina Barr
Simon Cowell and Liam Payne
Simon Cowell is taking time away from BGT following Liam Payne’s death
Britain’s Got Talent filming was cancelled following the news of Liam Payne’s death, and now Simon Cowell has reportedly stepped away.
The judge will be replaced by Bruno Tonioli when filming resumes on Saturday.
Simon, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon alongside guest judge KSI, a temporary replacement for Bruno, will continue fillming for the ITV series.
The decision comes after Simon, 65, was hit ‘incredibly hard’ by the news.
‘He didn’t feel it was right to continue with filming BGT, and when it resumes on Saturday, does not feel he’ll be in the right head space to continue,’ a source told The Sun.
On Wednesday, it was announced that the singer and former X Factor star had died aged 31 after falling off a balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The star had been in the country to support his One Direction bandmate Niall Horan at his concert, which he attended earlier this month with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
Liam Payne in a blue shirt, singing into a microphone and holding his earpiece
Liam Payne found fame on The X Factor when he became part of One Direction (Picture: Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images for Nickelodeon)
Simon Cowell at Britain's Got Talent auditions
Simon wants to take time away (Picture: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
It has now been announced that filming for the audition stage of the show– which was created by Cowell – has been halted in the wake of Payne’s death.
In a statement, Applause Store, who organised the tickets for filming, announced: ‘Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has decided to postpone today’s auditions in Blackpool. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.’
Applause Store shares a tweet announcing Britain's Got Talent filming has been postponed following Liam Payne's death
Applause Store shared the update regarding Britain’s Got Talent filming (Picture: X)
Simon Cowell, KSI, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon with Ant & Dec filming Britain's Got Talent
Filming for Britain’s Got Talent has taken place this week with new guest judge KSI (Picture: Tom Dymond/Rex Features/Shutterstock)
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly (Ant and Dec) leave The Grand Hotel in Lytham Saint Annes, Lancashire, after Britain's Got Talent has announced it will be postponing auditions for the show
Britain’s Got Talent presenters Ant and Dec were seen leaving The grand hotel in Lancashire after Britain’s Got Talent filming was postponed (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Blackpool's Winter Gardens with a Britain's Got Talent banner on the front
Today’s auditions were due to be held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens (Picture: Danny Ryan/Backgrid)
Payne found fame when he competed on The X Factor on ITV, having first auditioned in 2008 when he was 14 years old and making it through to the judges’ houses stage of the competition.
Two years later he returned, originally entering as a solo artist and then being put in a boy band alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Horan to become One Direction, who would go on to become one of the most successful groups in music history.
After finishing in third place, One Direction were signed to judge Cowell’s record label Syco Entertainment.
The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, as the singers all embarked on successful solo careers.
Liam Payne on The X Factor
Payne originally auditioned for The X Factor when he was 14, before returning two years later (Picture: ITV)
Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan of One Direction pose with Simon Cowell
One Direction were signed to Simon cowell’s record label after finishing third on The X Factor (Picture: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
The X Factor paid tribute to Payne in a statement shared on social media, which read: ‘We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne.
‘He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.
‘Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.’
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Former X Factor stars including Dermot O’Leary, Olly Murs, Jedward and Rylan Clark have also honoured Payne’s memory in heartfelt tributes.
‘The worst news. I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing,’ X Factor presenter O’Leary said on Instagram.
‘He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. Sending love and prayers to his family. Dx.’
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