SIMON Cowell has paid tribute to Liam Payne following his tragic d3ath at 31.

It was confirmed singer Liam had di3d after falling from his third floor balcony at a Buenos Aires hotel.

7

Simon has paid tribute to Liam Payne after his tragic d3athCredit: Shutterstock

7

Liam passed away yesterday afternoon in Buenos AiresCredit: Instagram

7

He personally put One Direction together on The X Factor after they auditioned as solo artistsCredit: PA Wire

7

The music mogul reminisced on their long-time friendship in his long essay
Now Simon, 65 – who first met Liam when he was 14 – has shared a touching post on his Instagram grid page.

He posted a number of graphic slides with a long essay onto the social media platform.

It read: “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens.

“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 of you.

“This is so difficult to put into words right now.”

The music mogul continued with his long essay, writing: “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 love you genuinely had for the fans.”

“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. After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I had met all of those years ago.”

Simon also opened up on the bond he shared with Liam’s seven-year-old son, Bear.

“I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eye that you have,” he wrote.

“And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.”

In his third slide, Simon added: “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.”

He added: “Rest in peace my friend. And I am sending my love, thoughts and prayers to your family. Simon X.”

Liam first audition for Simon’s X Factor in 2008 but was unsuccessful. However he returned in 2010 and was put into One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.

After working alongside the boys for their massive international success, Simon once confessed he was “annoyed” when Liam chose another label for his solo career.

He told The Sun: “It is a bit annoying if I am honest with you – mainly because it is a another label who has now got your artist who you worked with for so many years.

“We had spoken a lot, him and I, about what he wanted to do next.

But Simon admitted that he should have reached out to Liam and expressed interest in working with him as a solo artist.

He continued: “And I am guessing this because I haven’t spoken to Liam, but I guess he read about Harry’s deal and thought we weren’t interested.

“My impression was that he wasn’t in any hurry to make a record because he discussed this last year.

“He was more into songwriting and I was teasing him saying ‘if you come up with a great song Liam make sure it is for you and don’t give it away. When you’re ready, I am’.

“So I was a bit surprised. You have to remember with Liam I auditioned him when he was 14 or 15 years old.

“He nearly made it as a solo artist, then he came back and ends up in One Direction.

“So of course, there is a part of you that goes ‘maybe we should have had the conversation’. That may be my fault but it has happened.”

Liam was was in Buenos Aires for pal and fellow 1D star Niall’s tour when he tragically plunged from the third floor on Wednesday afternoon.

Liam, who shared seven-year-old son Bear with ex Cheryl, shared a post on Snapchat only minutes before his d3ath and showed him and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy looking into a mirror.

The singer-songwriter was staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo.

Crowds of heartbroken fans have now gathered behind a cordon outside the accommodation to pay tribute.

7

Simon created the band 2010 and they went onto become global sensationsCredit: Rex

7

They band came in third place on the hit show after they were mentored by Simon CowellCredit: The Mega Agency

7

One Direction went onto sell 70 million records worldwide