Simon Cowell feels ‘sick’ by the tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, who he loved like his own son – and is ‘trying to figure out what he can do to support his family’.

Tributes have been flooding in for Payne, who plunged to his death after falling from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday aged 31.

Music mogul Simon, 65, is said to be ‘gutted’ by the news of the Stack It Up singer’s passing, with an insider claiming that he cherished him like his own flesh and blood – along with fellow One Direction boys Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.

They added that the executive, who paused filming his talent show Britain’s Got Talent in the wake of the heartbreak, is taking time to process the sudden loss while also reflecting on treasured memories.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, they said: ‘Simon is gutted with the Liam news.

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Simon Cowell is ‘going through so many emotions’ in the wake of Liam Payne’s tragic death

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An insider claimed to DailyMail.com that the late One Direction star was ‘like a son’ to him

‘Simon has a son that he loves more than anything and in essence the boys from One Direction were his first set of sons, he spent so much time with them, and he loves all of them.

‘This is a tragedy, and he has so many emotions going through him at this time.’

Simon signed One Direction to his music label, Syco, after the group auditioned on The X Factor in 2010.

Payne had previously auditioned in 2008 when he was 14, and performed a jaw-dropping rendition of Frank Sinatra’s hit Fly Me To The Moon for judges Simon and Louis Walsh, and his future ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole.

Although he made it through to the Judges’ Houses round, Payne was ultimately sent home.

Simon encouraged Payne to try out again in ‘two years,’ which is when he’d achieve global superstardom as part of the boy band One Direction.

The insider continued: ‘Liam was such an important person in his life and Simon is sick that this happened.

‘He is holding the memories he has with Payne close to his heart. It is just an absolute nightmare, and a very sad thing to deal with.

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The source added that Payne was ‘such an important person’ in Simon’s life

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Simon signed One Direction to his label Syco after they formed on his show X Factor

‘It really is a moment of reflection for Simon, he’s trying to figure out what he can do to help his family, he wants to do something for Liam, but that will all take some time, he has to deal with the tragedy for the time being.

‘It is very hard and very sad.’

DailyMail.com has contacted reps for Simon for comment.

Earlier today, it was announced that a ‘devastated’ Simon, who shares 10-year-old son Eric with fiancée Lauren Silverman, 47, has taken a step back from filming Britain’s Got Talent following Payne’s death.

Production is set to pick back up on Saturday with Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, KSI and Bruno Tonioli on the panel while the mourning mogul grieves the popstar’s death.

‘This news has hit Simon incredibly hard – he is utterly shocked and devastated,’ a source told The Sun.

‘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 program’s producer, announced they were halting auditions for 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.’

According to the insider, Simon views all the One Direction stars like his own children

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Simon has taken a step back from filming Britain’s Got Talent following Payne’s death

At the same time, Simon faced backlash over Payne’s death, with X Factor’s Katie Waissel hitting out at the state of the music industry.

Singer songwriter Katie, 38, who auditioned alongside Payne on the 2010 series of X Factor, name-checked Simon in two statements in which she accused music bosses of focusing on ‘profits rather than people’.

She first took to X on Wednesday to voice 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.’

She later released a long statement in which she described Payne as ‘my confidant and my rock’, before turning her focus to the lack of support for young musicians.

‘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,’ she wrote.

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Payne plummeted to his death from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires on Wednesday

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His family said they are ‘heartbroken’ by his death and that the singer will ‘forever live in our hearts’

‘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.’

She added: ‘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.’

Payne fell from the third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, plunging into the courtyard before medics later confirmed his death.

The singer’s family revealed today they were ‘heartbroken’ by his death and that the singer will ‘forever live in our hearts’.

In a statement, they said: ‘We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.’