'I'll remember him as a beautiful young man'
OK! UK|October 28, 2024
Journalist Tony Cowell, brother of Simon, opens up to OK! about meeting Liam Payne as a teenager and watching his journey to stardom
KAREN CROSS
'I'll remember him as a beautiful young man'

Liam always gave the best hugs. He was a huge hugger. The last time I saw him, he came bounding up to me and my wife Emma, “Hey, how are you guys?” full of big, warm cuddles. It had been a little while since we’d last seen him, but it was as if it was just 10 minutes ago. Or when we were back in the studio at Wembley about to watch him perform on TV.

He was always exactly the same, no matter how long it had been. I knew Liam for 15 years and he hadn’t changed at all from the sweet 16-year-old we all first met at The X Factor. He was an angel.

It’s all so surreal he’s no longer with us, a terrible nightmare. As a family, we are completely devastated.

When I first met Liam and the One Direction boys, they were babies, just teenagers. I was reporting on the show for Heart Radio, so Emma and I were backstage every Saturday and Sunday night. Most of the boys in the band would love to be in Louis [Walsh]’s dressing room, which is where we all hung out, then they would run through the corridors to Simon’s dressing room.

The X Factor was at its zenith, 20 million people watching it every weekend. Liam was nervous about the live shows, yet he was really determined. He was always very quiet, but polite, asking me for advice — because everybody wanted to please Simon. And that’s the thing about him, he always wanted to be better.

After one of Liam’s first auditions, Simon had said he wanted to see a bit more from him and I think that set him on some sort of mission. So after each performance, he wanted to know what I thought or what Emma thought.

As the weeks went on and their star began to rise, Liam didn’t change. He spoke to every fan who approached him, because he was so grateful to be in the position he was. It was what he always wanted. It was a dream coming true for him.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 28, 2024 من OK! UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 28, 2024 من OK! UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من OK! UK مشاهدة الكل
Golden girl
OK! UK

Golden girl

Model and mum-of-four Abbey Clancy talks us through her glitzy new F&F partywear edit and tells us what Christmas is like at her house

time-read
2 mins  |
November 04, 2024
HONOURING THE NATION'S UNSUNG HEROES
OK! UK

HONOURING THE NATION'S UNSUNG HEROES

A host of celebrities took to the red carpet to celebrate the Pride of Britain Awards, but the real stars of the night were the inspirational winners who make the world a better place

time-read
3 mins  |
November 04, 2024
Helping people is a great privilege, not a burden'
OK! UK

Helping people is a great privilege, not a burden'

British billionaire philanthropist John Caudwell talks to OK! from his superyacht in Monaco about leaving a lasting legacy-and living a \"normal\" family life

time-read
5 mins  |
November 04, 2024
We're aware when we need to take time for our marriage'
OK! UK

We're aware when we need to take time for our marriage'

Presenter, businesswoman and busy mum-of-three Rochelle Humes on keeping the spark alive with hubby Marvin and her dearest wish for their children

time-read
4 mins  |
November 04, 2024
Being a mum has made me want to work harder'
OK! UK

Being a mum has made me want to work harder'

Singer and musical theatre star Alexandra Burke chats about experiencing her perfect proposal, her career ambitions and the inspirational advice from her mother that she carries with her

time-read
4 mins  |
November 04, 2024
Our wedding was like a movie'
OK! UK

Our wedding was like a movie'

Two years after they married during lockdown, Lee Ryan and Verity Paris finally celebrated their big day in style

time-read
6 mins  |
November 04, 2024
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LADY LOUISE
OK! UK

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LADY LOUISE

As Lady Louise Windsor turns 21, we hear how the hardworking young royal is devoted to family and duty

time-read
2 mins  |
November 04, 2024
HOMELESSNESS 'CAN BE ENDED'
OK! UK

HOMELESSNESS 'CAN BE ENDED'

As a new documentary highlights the Prince of Wales' commitment to tackling homelessness, a royal expert praises his ambition to help people in need

time-read
3 mins  |
November 04, 2024
ROYAL TOUR IS A 'MILESTONE'
OK! UK

ROYAL TOUR IS A 'MILESTONE'

There was a warm welcome for King Charles and Queen Camilla as the relatable” pair visited Australia and Samoa to celebrate culture and community

time-read
4 mins  |
November 04, 2024
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - I'm winning anyway'
OK! UK

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - I'm winning anyway'

Shayne Ward and his Strictly dance partner Nancy Xu on making golden memories and ignoring the haters

time-read
7 mins  |
November 04, 2024