Simon Cowell takes drastic action after 'backlash' over Liam Payne death

Simon, 65, will be taking an immediate break from his duties on Britain's Got Talent on the ITV show, it has been confirmed.

Simon Cowell has stepped back from ITV Britain's Got Talent amid a growing backlash over Liam Payne's death. Simon, 65, will be taking an immediate break from his duties on Britain's Got Talent on the ITV show, it has been confirmed.

Cowell, who put together One Direction, will miss filming for Britain's Got Talent this week and judge Bruno Tonioli will replace him, according to The Sun. Filming for the ITV1 show was halted on Wednesday in the wake of Wolverhampton singer Liam's death in Argentina.

Simon's fellow judges, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, KSI and Bruno will continue filming while the music mogul takes some time away from his duties to come to terms with Liam's tragic passing. "This news has hit Simon incredibly hard - he is utterly shocked and devastated," an insider told the publication.

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"He adored Liam, and was close to his family with whom he is sure to reach out privately. He didn't feel it was right to continue with filming BGT, and when it resumes on Saturday, does not feel he'll be in the right headspace to continue. All the judges and production crew are being hugely supportive."

Simon was Liam, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik's manager during their heyday. On Thursday, Simon was seen being driven by his security after it was announced he'd made the decision to halt Britain's Got Talent auditions in the wake of Liam's death.

He previously shared his regret after handing the One Direction name to the five lads – meaning he made no profit from them. He told Steven Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast: "One thing I regret, is, I should have kept the name.

"I should have owned the name." He later confirmed that the band members own the name One Direction, adding: "That's the problem, could have made an animation or whatever but when you give an artist the name, it's not yours and that's my only regret."