Ipinakansela ni Simon Cowell ang taping ng Britain’s Got Talent noong Huwebes, Oktubre 17, 2024, dahil sa pagkamatay ni Liam Payne.
Si Liam ay miyembro ng One Direction, ang English-Irish pop boy band na binuo ni Smon noong 2010.
Read: Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies in Argentina at 31
Si Simon ang isa sa mga hurado ng The X Factor UK, ang British music competition na nakatuklas sa talento ni Liam at former One Direction members na sina Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, at Niall Horan.
Si Simon ang may-ari ng Syco Entertainment, ang record label na nagpapirma ng exclusive contract sa One Direction na sumikat nang husto matapos sumali sa The X Factor noong 2010.
Unang napanood sa telebisyon ang The X Factor noong 2004, at tuluyang namaalam sa ere makalipas ang labimpitong taon.
Sa kabila ng pagsasara ng programa, naglabas pa rin ng mensahe ng pagdadalamhati ang The X Factor dahil sa pagpanaw ni Liam.
Nakasaad dito: “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."
Read: Liam Payne's cause of death revealed; One Direction member "last photo" released
HATE COMMENTS AGAINST SIMON COWELL
Hindi nakaligtas si Simon sa mga matitinding batikos na epekto ng pagkawala ni Liam. Pinaratangan siya ng exploitation o pananamantala sa mga kabataan.
Mababasa ang hate comments laban kay Simon sa Instagram post niya nang magdiwang siya ng 65th birthday noong Oktubre 7, 2024.
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Ang kaibigan ni Liam at dating The X Factor contestant na si Katie Waissel ang isa mga malulupit na kritiko ni Simon.
Sa pamamagitan ng isang X (Twitter) post, nanawagan si Katie na imbestigahan si Simon at ang entertainment company nito dahil sa "negligence at breach of duty of care" ng mga artist.
Hinihiling din niyang mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ni Liam na may hashtag na #justiceforliam.
Read: One Direction members "devastated" by Liam Payne's death
Mensahe ni Katie: “It is with a profoundly heavy heart that I share this statement on the tragic loss of my dear friend, Liam Payne.
“We first met in 2010 on The X Factor, where Liam became my confidant and my rock, offering unwavering support during some of my darkest moments on that journey.
“The tragic loss of my dear friend Liam Payne highlights the urgent need for change in the music industry.
“I’m calling for an immediate investigation into SyCo Entertainment for negligence and breach of duty of care. Artists are not commodities, and their wellbeing must be prioritised.
“We need new laws to protect the safety and mental health of all in the industry. NO MORE PROFIT OVER PEOPLE. Let Liam’s story spark the reform we desperately need."
Dagdag pa niya: “My heart is completely torn to shreds right now, I am at an absolute loss for words.
“If Simon Cowell dare put a statement out on the heart wrenching, tragic loss of my dear and darling friend Liam, he would be a fool. We all know the truth… and I’ll be sure it all comes out.”
Read: Liam Payne, nag-upload ng photos sa Snapchat isang oras bago pumanaw