The globally successful band that included Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik were first formed on Cowell's reality show, 'The X-Factor', in 2010.

Simon Cowell recalled a special moment with Liam Payne that occurred a year before the former One Direction member’s death. “You came to see me last year. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And we reminisced about all the fun times we had together.

Simon Cowell is mourning the loss of Liam Payne as tributes to the late One Direction singer continue to pour in. Cowell shared a statement on social media expressing his thoughts about Payne and remembering the singer with touching words.