Liam Payne "never stopped loving" ex-partner Cheryl Tweedy and his son Bear.
That's according to Simon Cowell's brother Tony Cowell, who has remembered the late singer - who passed away on Wednesday (16.10.24) aged 31, after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Argentina - as a "kind and considerate" man and a "wonderful father" to his seven-year-old boy Bear.
He told Closer magazine: "Our family has known Liam for so many years.
"I will always remember how he always made the effort to speak to our late mum, Julie, when she was in Simon’s dressing room.
"Yes, the fame took its toll on his mental health, but he remained kind and considerate and an incredible friend to so many, and a wonderful father to [his son] Bear; so generous and private.
"I also feel for Cheryl, as I know Liam never stopped loving her and Bear. It's going to be so difficult for her. I can’t imagine her pain.
"Louis Walsh is devastated too. He told me, “Liam had this star quality about him. I will miss him.
"It’s been moving to see this outpouring of grief around the world for Liam. I want to remember him as a beautiful young man, a normal kid trying to battle his demons."
Tony has told how Simon recently met with Liam at his Cotswolds home, where Bear enjoyed playing with the music mogul's son Eric, 10.
He said: "Liam was determined to gain Simon’s approval [on 'The X Factor'].
"He desperately wanted to please him.
"We are devastated. I feel for Simon, too.
"He only recently met with Liam a few months ago, when Liam took Bear to see him at his house in the Cotswolds, and Bear played with his son, Eric."
Liam was 14 years old when he first auditioned for TV talent show 'The X Factor', and he returned to the programme two years later and became part of boy band One Direction, who were assembled by Simon and then-fellow 'X Factor' judge Nicole Scherzinger.
Tony has recalled Liam being "so open and honest" when he first met him as a teenager.
He said: "Liam was just 16 years old when I first met him backstage at The X Factor in 2010.
"I will never forget how open and honest he was. He always had a huge smile on his face.
"He had a quiet maturity about him, even then."
Earlier this week, Tony admitted Liam sought advice from Simon, 65, over the years.
He told OK! magazine: "He still looked to Simon for advice and direction. Through the years, when he’s dealt with different problems and been trying to find his feet, Simon would always try to help. They had such respect for each other."
