"Didn’t see this one coming" — Internet reacts to Simon Cowell reportedly stepping down from Britain's Got Talent after Liam Payne's death

After Liam Payne passed away on October 16, from falling off a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, netizens recalled Simon Cowell and his alleged beef with Payne. Following the news about this tragic death, Simon postponed the auditions for Britain's Got Talent.

The Sun reported that Cowell will reportedly be stepping down as of now. While the show's filming came to a pause after the tragedy, it will resume on Saturday.

Other judges including Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and guest judge KSI will reportedly continue to be in the popular show. A source told The Sun that Cowell was "utterly devastated" by the tragedy and wasn't in the right mental state to continue filming.

"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," they added.

This report attracted netizens' attention and they took to X to react to the same.

"I can see it, Liam was like family to Simon so he is going to need some time to work through this," a netizen wrote.

"So Simon Cowell does have a heart after all. Good to know," commented a netizen.

"One Direction was Simon's baby after all," an individual wrote.

"I respect this man so much. Hollywood culture is so fake but this man sincerely cared for him like a nephew," wrote another.

While many sympathized with him, some also found Cowell's decision suspicious.

"That 33rd degree is paying off dividends for him," a tweet read.

"This Is going on be one hell of a rabbit hole 🐇🕳," believed another user.

Liam Payne received an award on behalf of One Direction from Simon Cowell in 2017, (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

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Applause Store previously announced that the filming of Simon Cowell's Britain's Got Talent was being postponed

Before it was reported that Cowell was allegedly not going to be on Britain's Got Talent, Applause Store decided to pause the filming for the show. The company that looks after organizing tickets for filming took to X on October 17, and wrote:

"Due to the tragic passing of Liam Payne, BGT has decided to postpone today's auditions in Blackpool. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

A source told The Sun that Cowell "adored" Liam and was quite close to his family, which reportedly caused him to be impacted so badly after the singer's demise.

When Payne auditioned for The X Factor in 2008, Cowell was a judge and he rejected the young singer and advised him to return in two years. Payne then came back and was selected for the show. His association with Cowell continued even after that.

After Payne became a part of the popular boy band and finished third, they signed with Simon Cowell's record label Syco Entertainment. The group later decided to go on an indefinite hiatus in 2016.

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Liam Payne's death currently is under investigation. Police have looked into his hotel room and collected possible shreds of evidence. Fans have since been paying tribute to the late singer.