Viewers of Britain's Got Talent were left scratching their heads this weekend after a sudden shake-up in the show’s lineup. On Saturday night, March 22, 2025, Simon Cowell, a staple of the panel, was absent from filming, replaced by guest judge KSI, causing noticeable concern among fans.
The well-loved presenting duo, Ant and Dec, announced Simon's unexpected absence in the middle of the episode. "Unfortunately, Simon can't be with us today, so we have a very special guest judge, KSI," announced Ant, as the audience responded with enthusiastic applause. The intrigue surrounding Cowell's absence stemmed from the tragic news of the passing of One Direction star Liam Payne.
Simon Cowell, 65, was reported missing from the set due to the death of Payne, who sadly fell from a third-story balcony in Argentina on October 16, 2024, at just 31 years old. The news triggered a worldwide outpouring of grief, with many fans and friends mourning the loss of the beloved singer. Cowell had mentored Payne on The X Factor in 2010, which was a pivotal moment for both the talent show and the young singer's career.
As tributes poured in, ITV decided to temporarily halt filming of Britain’s Got Talent auditions, confirming, “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.” After a week, filming resumed, but Simon continued to be absent during part of the recordings.
Ant and Dec's announcement sparked a wave of concern on social media, with many viewers expressing their confusion and sadness over Cowell’s unexpected departure. One social media user tweeted, “A show without Simon?!” while another reminded the audience of the context behind his absence, commenting, “Ahhh Simon was off when Liam Payne died.” It was clear that Cowell’s relationship with Payne was instrumental in understanding the impact of his absence.
The connection between Cowell and Payne began when the young singer first met Cowell at the age of 14, auditioning for The X Factor. Cowell advised Payne to return when he was older, a suggestion that bore fruit when Payne came back to the show at 16, eventually joining Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik to form the world-renowned boy band One Direction. Under Simon's guidance, the group became one of the most successful in UK history and enjoyed global fame, turning Simon into a legend in the reality television landscape.
As the news unfolded, Cowell, who attended Payne’s funeral after his body was flown back to the UK, echoed his heartfelt sentiments on social media. In a poignant tribute posted shortly after the news broke, Simon shared, “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens. Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty.” Simon continued, reflecting on their time together, sharing, “I thought about so many times we had together.” He highlighted Payne's kindness, humor, and deep love for music, adding, “And how much you genuinely had for the fans.”
Despite the heart-wrenching circumstances, the show continued with KSI stepping in, managing to engage the audience positively. Many viewers quickly grew to appreciate the YouTube sensation’s contributions, with comments on social media praising KSI's performance as a guest judge. One viewer said, “KSI did a great job stepping in, tough shoes to fill though,” while another remarked, “Nice to see KSI on Britain's Got Talent but miss seeing Simon there.”
Liam Payne's legacy was not only visible in his extensive discography but also in the lives he touched, including Simon's. Cowell's deep connection to Payne was reflected in sentiments shared by viewers who expressed empathy towards his loss. A fan shared, “Heartbreaking news about Liam, totally understand Simon’s absence. Thinking of everyone affected.”
As the show pressed on, with the talented panel of Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli, and the surprise guest KSI, audiences eagerly awaited Simon's return. Despite the heaviness of the situation, viewers continued to tune into the beloved ITV show, which airs every Saturday at 7 p.m. on ITV1 and is available for streaming on ITVX.
In the context of upcoming performances, Simon Cowell is expected to return to Britain's Got Talent in due time, and fans are hopeful that he will be back in his rightful seat, as well as ready to continue the show with renewed vigor after navigating this significant loss. The entertainment community continues to rally together in support of Cowell and in memory of Liam Payne as the show carries on in tribute.
