Simon Cowell pays heartfelt tribute as he makes TV return after Liam Payne's death
Simon Cowell made his TV comeback at the Pride of Britain Awards following the tragic death of Liam Payne
Simon Cowell has made his TV return following the sad news of Liam Payne’s death.
The One Direction star, 31, passed away last week after falling from a hotel balcony. The star died after suffering multiple traumas leading to an "internal and external haemorrhage".
Simon, who met Liam when he auditioned for X Factor for the very first time at the age of 14, cancelled BGT auditions at the time, following the news of Liam’s death.
He later issued a statement saying he was “devastated”. In an emotional Instagram post, the music mogul added that he is “heartbroken” and feels “empty” after Liam’s death.
And on Thursday (October 24) Simon made his TV return, to appear at the pre-recorded Pride of Britain Awards. The annual ceremony was back for its 25th year - with Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo back on stage to front the emotional show.
The awards do celebrates the country's most heroic people who have done amazing things in 2024. Carol, 63, has hosted the award show since its inception in 1999, with Ashley, 36, joining her as co-host in 2021.
Simon presented the Child of Courage award to Aiyla Mota. Doctors were forced to amputate Aiyla's legs and fingers last year after she developed life-threatening sepsis.
What started as a sore throat soon developed into stomach pains and breathing problems. She was rushed to A&E where tests revealed she had experienced organ failure due to sepsis.
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She spent three months in hospital before being discharged just before her fourth birthday. She joined mainstream school shortly after and her mum Eulanda said she has remained her “cheeky, sassy” self.
She is thriving at school and enjoys gymnastics, horse-riding, ice skating and bowling. Mum Eulanda said: “Sepsis and Strep A haven’t stolen her love for life.”
As well as winning the award, Aiyla got to visit the Britain's Got Talent set and got to sit in Simon's seat and press his buzzer.
According to reports, Simon also paid tribute to his friend, former Mirror Editor Peter Willis, who died at the age of 54. Peter worked as the Editor of the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and Sunday People and went on to set up the much-loved Pride of Britain Awards.
Talking about Peter at the ceremony, Simon said: “Peter had an idea 25 years, 26 years [ago] probably, to create what he called the People’s Awards Ceremony, and this was his passion… he cared.
“You never said no to Peter, by the way. When you got ‘the call’, it was ‘I’m coming’. And I always remember the years I would come, just before I’d get up if I was going to introduce someone, he would tell me about their story.”
Simon went on: “He cared so passionately about the people who got the awards, and looking around today, Peter, this is still, in my opinion, the most important awards show of the year. As always, you meet the most incredible people because I always thought of this show as extraordinary people with extraordinary stories.”
Speaking at the Central London ceremony, the talent show mogul told the audience: “You’re going to leave feeling humbled. Peter’s legacy lives on… a tribute to a man I had huge respect for.”
