Latest news with #Judges'Houses
Wales Online
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BGT's Simon Cowell 'sobbed down the phone' to co-star after heartbeaking news
BGT's Simon Cowell 'sobbed down the phone' to co-star after heartbeaking news Renowned pop-singer Sinitta has shared how Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell broke down in tears during a phone call in the aftermath of a recent bereavement Simon Cowell 'sobbed down the phone' during a call with a co-star after hearing heartbreaking news (Image: GC Images ) So Macho singer Sinitta has opened up about her first phone call with Simon Cowell after the tragic death of One Direction singer Liam Payne last year. Simon and Liam developed a close bond after first meeting on the X Factor in 2008. Although Liam only made it as far as the Judges' Houses, the teenager returned in 2010 where he was placed into the boy band One Direction. Simon was joined by Sinitta in both 2008 and 2010 to watch Liam perform at the 65-year-old's home, first as a solo artist and then with One Direction, with the five youngsters making an instant impression on the pair. Sinitta had first Liam as he appeared in the judges houses stage of X-Factor (Image: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images ) One Direction eventually finished in third place, losing out to eventual winner Matt Cardle, but the band continued to enjoy huge worldwide success in the years that followed under Simon's management However, despite the band's popularity continuing to rocket, they would eventually pursue solo careers. Tragically, in October last year, Liam fell to his death at a Buenos Aires hotel after flying out to watch former bandmate Niall Horan in concert. Now, during a recent interview with Best magazine, Sinitta opened up about the heartbreak of learning of Liam's death. She said: "You never expect anyone younger than you to die. All I could think about was Cheryl and Bear." Managing to put her own grief to one side, her thoughts turned to Simon, as she recalled speaking to the inconsolable judge: "Later that day I reached out to Simon, and he was devastated. I hadn't heard him so upset since his mum died. He sobbed down the phone to me - it was hard to know what to say. It was brave of him to go to that funeral and comfort Liam's parents." Liam first appeared on X-Factor in 2008 (Image: Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal ) Simon and Sinitta first met in 1983 when Sinitta, then thought to have been 20 at the time, became his first signing as a record boss. The pair would go on to have a 30-year love affair that saw the couple repeatedly make up and break up. In 2004, Sinitta made her first appearance on the X Factor when she joined Simon at the Judges' Houses stage. She joined Simon in rejecting Liam in 2008 and recommending that he came back to the show at a later date. Two years later, she joined Simon at the Judges Houses' phase once again and this time decided to progress Liam and his new bandmates, One Direction, to the next stage of the show. One Direction finished in third place in the seventh series of X-Factor (Image: PA ) After finding huge success on the show, the band saw their popularity sky-rocket in the years that followed before deciding to go their separate ways in 2016. But, whilst staying in Argentina in order to go and watch his former band mate, Niall Horan, in concert, Liam tragically fell to his death from the third-floor balcony of a Buenos Aires hotel. As the star's funeral in Amersham, Buckinghamshire followed, Simon was amongst the mourners as he was seen comforting Liam's parents, Geoff and Karen. Article continues below Simon was seen comforting the Geoff and Karen Payne at the One Direction stars funeral (Image: WireImage ) Since then, Simon has returned to our screens as he has joined Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden in judging this year's acts on Britain's Got Talent. The much-loved talent show will come to a close this evening (May 31) at 7 pm on ITV, as the remaining acts vie for a chance to claim the top prize.
Perth Now
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Simon Cowell 'sobbed down the phone' to Sinitta after Liam Payne's death
Simon Cowell was "absolutely devastated" by the death of Liam Payne, according to his close friend Sinitta. The One Direction singer passed away at the age of 31 last October after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the 'So Macho' hitmaker - who first met Liam when he auditioned for 'The X Factor' at the age of 14 - has reflected on the moment she heard the news about the tragedy. Sinitta told OK!: "On the night it happened I had gone to bed early but left my phone on in the other room. I kept hearing it clicking with new messages. In the morning, I saw the messages and was in complete shock. I literally couldn't speak. It was like living through a nightmare." The 61-year-old star contacted her former partner Cowell and admits that his heartbroken reaction has remained in her mind ever since. Sinitta recalled: "He was absolutely devastated. I hadn't heard him so upset since his mum died. He sobbed down the phone to me. He couldn't contain his emotions - it was hard to know what to say to him." The star explained that she "couldn't stop thinking" about Liam's former partner Cheryl and the couple's son Bear, eight, when she heard about his passing. She said: "All I could think about was Cheryl and Bear." Sinitta explained that she still thought of Liam as a "little boy" after meeting him as a teenager - two years before he was put together with his One Direction bandmates on the 2010 series of the reality show and propelled to global fame. She said: "To me, he was still that little boy who made it all the way to Barbados (for Judges' Houses) because he was determined to be on the show. "Simon and I loved him and begged him to come back. He did - and ended up being the lead singer in One Direction. You never expect anyone younger than you to suddenly die." Cowell, 65, attended Liam's funeral and consoled his parents Karen and Geoff and Sinitta felt that the act was testament to the character of a man she has known for more than 40 years. She said: "It was very brave of him to be able to go the funeral and comfort Liam's parents."
Daily Mirror
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Simon Cowell's devastating reaction to Liam Payne death revealed by Sinitta
Simon Cowell was left 'absolutely devastated' by the sudden death of Liam Payne, according to close friend Sinitta – who, in an exclusive interview, has revealed for the first time how the music mogul broke down in tears during an emotional phone call. Pop star Sinitta has revealed for the first time Simon Cowell's heartbreaking reaction to the sudden death of Liam Payne, describing how the music mogul 'sobbed down the phone' to her, and was 'absolutely devastated.' Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, the singer and stage star – who mentored alongside Cowell on The X Factor and was one of the first in the world to spot Liam's talent – recalled the shocking moment she heard the news. She revealed during an exclusive chat with OK!: 'On the night it happened I had gone to bed early but left my phone on in the other room,' she explained. 'I kept hearing it clicking with new messages. In the morning, I saw the messages and was in complete shock. I literally couldn't speak. It was like living through a nightmare.' Sinitta, 61, first met Liam when he auditioned for The X Factor at the age of 14, impressing the judges with his mature vocals. Though he didn't make it through the first time, Simon and Sinitta both urged him to return – and he did, aged 16, where he was famously placed into One Direction during the 2010 series. 'To me, he was still that little boy who made it all the way to Barbados [for Judges' Houses] because he was determined to be on the show, ' she said. 'Simon and I loved him and begged him to come back. He did – and ended up being the lead singer in One Direction. You never expect anyone younger than you to suddenly die.' Sinitta added that she 'couldn't stop thinking about Cheryl and Bear,' referring to Liam's ex-girlfriend Cheryl, and their son. 'All I could think about was Cheryl and Bear,' she told us. Later that day, Sinitta reached out to her close friend Simon Cowell – whom she's known for over 40 years. What she heard on the other end of the phone has stayed with her ever since. 'He was absolutely devastated,' she said. 'I hadn't heard him so upset since his mum died. He sobbed down the phone to me. He couldn't contain his emotions – it was hard to know what to say to him.' Despite his grief, Simon later attended Liam's funeral and comforted the singer's parents – something Sinitta says shows his strength and character. 'It was very brave of him to be able to go to the funeral and comfort Liam's parents,' she added. Liam tragically died in October 2024 at the age of 31, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. The incident sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, with tributes flooding in from friends, fans and former bandmates. Five individuals were initially charged in connection with Liam's death. However, three – including Liam's close friend Roger Nores – have since had those charges dropped. Legal proceedings are still happening - with Liam's nearest and dearest continuing to grieve the star.
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Danny Dearden death: X Factor contestant dies, aged 34
The X Factor contestant Danny Dearden, who appeared on the show in 2014, has died, aged 34. The singer, who appeared on the ITV talent show in 2014, reached the Judges' Houses stage of the competition, where he was mentored by the Spice Girls singer Mel B. Dearden's manager, Denise Beighton confirmed he had died in an Instagram post shared on Tuesday (15 April), writing: 'Heartbroken to wake up to the news that you're gone. I have no words right now, rest easy beautiful boy.' Dearden's cause of death has yet to be revealed. However, tributes to the singer were quickly shared in the comment section of Beighton's Instagram post. 'This is heartbreaking! Danny was a lovely soul,' musician Lewis Maxwell wrote. Meanwhile, another person added: 'What!?!? No!!! He was such a lovely gent. So so sorry for your loss D, this one is a big shock.'
