Simon Cowell gets honest about Liam Payne’s death

Liam Payne’s death has shocked many people, including Simon Cowell, best known as a judge on America’s Got Talent.

The shock is expected. He helped launch the late One Direction singer’s career when he first met him on the X Factor when he was just 14.

Now, over a year after his death, Simon recalls the moment he heard about his passing.

"Somebody who works with me very closely came into my room," the TV celebrity tells the New York Times.

"I was up in the north of England, and I could tell by the look of her face that she was upset. She said, 'Sit down,' and she told me. And it was like — wow."

His sudden death, Simon says, leads him to remember another loss he faced. "It was a bit like I felt when I heard the news when my dad passed away.?

"It's very difficult to put into words how you feel. It's just shock. At that point, you're not really thinking clearly," Simon concludes.