Simon Cowell reveals his heartbreaking reaction to Liam Payne's death: 'I was really struggling'

Simon Cowell has spoken about Liam Payne for the first time after the singer’s tragic death

After almost 19 months of the late One Direction alum's death due to falling from a balcony on the third-floor of a hotel in Argentina, the X Factor judge recalled his heartbreaking reaction to the poignant news.

"What do you do in a situation like that? It was so bad, I was in pieces. There were so many things going on in my head," he said on the Daily Mail’s Tales From the Celebrity Trenches podcast.

“I literally just disappeared somewhere for a week to think everything through because I knew I was really, really struggling.”

It is pertinent to mention that Simon served as a mentor and manager when One Direction debuted on the UK X Factor in 2010. He also signed the band with label Syco Records and managed the band until 2016.

Simon also reflected on the filming Netflix series The Next Act which was shot after Liam's death.

As the series shows the journey of Simon in search of the next boyband, the record executive admitted he has always responsibly mentored the young artist like he did for One Direction.

"My responsibility is to go: Look, if it works and you're successful, that's a good thing," he shared, “However, as your life changes there are going to be times when it's really stressful, really hard. I will help you prepare for that and be there if you need me.”

For those unversed, the other members of One Direction including Payne are, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.