‘Devastated’ Simon Cowell is set to take a step back from filming Britain’s Got Talent in the wake of Liam Payne’s death, with judge Bruno Tonioli stepping in to take his place. 

The 31-year-old former One Direction singer plunged 45ft from the third floor into the courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires yesterday, prompting a wave of tributes from across the showbiz world.

Filming for the hit ITV1 show was paused yesterday after news broke of Liam Payne’s tragic death, the Sun reports. 

‘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 head space to continue.

‘All the judges and production crew are being hugely supportive.’

A spokesperson for Freemantle UK, the programme’s producer announced they wee halting auditions for the Britain’s Got Talent yesterday. 

Their statement read: ‘Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, we have decided to postpone the Britain’s Got Talent auditions. Our thoughts are with Liam’s friends, family and all who loved him.”

Cowell, 65, was a judge on X Factor and signed One Direction to his music label, Syco. It come shortly after the music mogul was pictured for the first time since Liam Payne’s tragic death – as X Factor stars Katie Waissel and Rebecca Ferguson.

Cowell was seen this afternoon in the back seat of a car in Blackpool, where he was holding auditions for Britain’s Got Talent before cancelling them at the last minute after hearing of Payne’s death yesterday in Buenos Aires.

It comes hours after Waissel, a 38-year-old singer-songwriter who auditioned alongside Payne on the 2010 series of X Factor, name-checked Cowell in two statements in which she accused music bosses of focusing on ‘profits rather than people’.

Waissel first took to X last night to reveal her heartbreak at her friend’s death, writing: ‘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.’

She later released a long statement in which she described Payne as ‘my confidant and my rock’, before turning her focus to her views on the state of the music industry. 

‘Liam was kind, with a pure heart, a sharp mind, and the wisdom of an old soul. His warmth and compassion left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,’ Waissel wrote. 

‘His tragic passing not only leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who loved him but also serves as a painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry.

‘There are those who had a responsibility to provide the care and support necessary for the well-being of young artists, but too often, the focus remained on profits rather than the people. 

‘This industry has treated talent like commodities, and the negligence of duty of care has once again led to a heart-wrenching loss. We need only look at Simon Cowell’s recent interview with Steven Bartlett, where he admits his greatest regret was not owning the band’s name.

‘The real regret should be the failure to prioritize the emotional and physical welfare of the artists who put their trust in these institutions. Contracts, whether they are for television shows or record deals, come with a legal and moral duty of care that must be upheld.’