Liam Payne "never stopped loving" Cheryl Cole, claims Simon Cowell's brother Tony

Tony Cowell, the half-brother of the record executive, Simon Cowell, talked about Liam Payne's death to Closer magazine. In the interview published on Tuesday, October 22, Cowell opened up about the loss, mentioning Cheryl Cole and said:

"I also feel for Cheryl, as I know Liam never stopped loving her and Bear. It's going to be so difficult for her. I can’t imagine her pain."

Cheryl Cole was Liam Payne's ex-girlfriend as well as the mother of his son, seven-year-old Bear. Cole and Liam first started dating in 2016, with their relationship coming to an end after two years, in 2018.

Eleven months before the couple parted ways, they welcomed their son, Bear, into the world on March 22, 2017. They continued to co-parent him even after their breakup.

Payne lost his life in a tragic fall accident last week, at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Bueno Aires, Argentina. Prior to his death, the former One Direction singer had traveled. to South America on a vacation with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.

---

Tony Cowell said he was moved by "the outpouring grief" for Liam's death

Elsewhere in his interview with Closer magazine, Tony Cowell opened up about his friendship with Liam Payne, stating:

"Liam was just 16 years old when I first met him backstage at The X Factor in 2010. I will never forget how open and honest he was. He always had a huge smile on his face. He had a quiet maturity about him, even then."

The author continued:

"Our family has known Liam for so many years. I will always remember how he always made the effort to speak to our late mum, Julie, when she was in Simon’s dressing room."

Cowell then went on to point out that, while Payne's fame had taken a toll on his mental health, he remained "considerate and kind" and was "an incredible friend to so many". He also called the Both Ways singer "generous and private".

Liam Payne's appearance on The X Factor in 2010 was his second shot at making it in the show; he had also auditioned for it two years ago but wasn't selected in the end. Throwing light on Liam's relationship with his brother, Simon Cowell, Tony said:

"Liam was determined to gain Simon’s approval [on The X Factor]. He desperately wanted to please him."

He also revealed that the Stack It Up singer went to meet Simon at his home in Cotswolds with his son. Towards the end of the interview, Tony also added:

"It’s been moving to see this outpouring of grief around the world for Liam. I want to remember him as a beautiful young man, a normal kid trying to battle his demons."

---

Cheryl Cole called Liam Payne's death an "earth-shattering event" in her Instagram post

On October 18, Cheryl Cole broke her silence about her ex-boyfriend, Liam Payne's death, in an Instagram post. The first picture was a black-and-white photo of Payne lying next to Bear when he was an infant, followed by a black picture with a message written in white letters, saying:

"As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being."

The Girls Aloud singer went on to point out that besides being "a pop star and celebrity," Liam was also a son, a brother, a friend, an uncle, and a father.

Cole continued, saying it was a heartbreaking realization that she wouldn't be able to protect her son from the "abhorrent reports and media exploitation" that followed Payne's death. She ended her statement with:

"I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces."

Cheryl urged the media to give the 31-year-old "a little dignity" to rest "in some peace at last."

---

In the autopsy report that confirmed the death of Liam Payne, the cause of the singer's death was revealed as "polytrauma and internal and external bleeding." The Argentina Police also found "a series of substances" in his hotel room, which suggests that Payne could have been under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of his death.