Simon Cowell, Who Formed One Direction, Honors Liam Payne: ‘I Feel Empty’

After cancelingBritains Got TalentauditionsThursday to mournLiam Payne,Simon Cowellispaying tributeto the lateOne Directionstar.

And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you.

Every tear I have shed is a memory of you, Cowell wrote.

Liam Payne and Simon Cowell as One Direction celebrates 1D Day at YouTube Space LA in Playa Vista, Calif. on Nov. 23, 2013Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

This is so difficult to put into words right now.

I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused.

And how much you loved music.

And how much love you genuinely had for the fans, Cowell wrote.

I had to tell you when you were 14 that this wasnt your time.

And we both made a promise that we would meet again.

A lot of people would have given up.

You didnt, he wrote.

You came back, and within months, the whole world would know Liam.

And you never forgot the fans.

I watched you spending so much time with people who had wanted to meet you.

You really cared, he added.

Cowell said he shared how proud he was of Payne as a father.

I have met your son, Bear.

He has your smile and that twinkle in his eyes that you have, Cowell wrote.

And he will be so proud of everything you achieved.

And how you achieved it.

He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.