Simon Cowell's sly dig about Liam Payne during X Factor auditions - as music mogul faces pressure over 'young fame aftercare'

Music mogul Simon Cowell is facing pressure over the aftercare provided for young performers suddenly rocketed to fame, following the death of Liam Payne. A previously-unaired clip showed Simon Cowell discussing with fellow X Factor judges Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh putting together One Direction in 2010 Liam Payne, rejected by the show in 2008 but more successful two years later, is seen accepting the prize for Best British Artist Video of the Year at the 2017 BRIT Awards - alongside Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger Cowell with Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik The previously-unaired clip was shared online in 2022, featuring discussions between Cowell and fellow X Factor judges Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh - in which the Syco boss appeared to accuse Payne of arrogance. Liam Payne is seen performing on The X Factor in September 2010 in the show's 7th series Liam Payne, who died aged 31 on Wednesday, had a son named Bear with former partner Cheryl - the pair are pictured here at a BRIT Awards after-party in February 2018 One Direction are pictured here at London's Connaught Hotel in December 2010 - left to right: Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Simon Cowell, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan And in the seeming dig at Payne, Cowell then stated: 'He thinks he's better than anyone else in that list.' Mourning music mogul Simon Cowell has stepped down from filming Britain's Got Talent in the wake of Liam Payne's sudden death at the age of 31 Katie Waissel, a 38-year-old singer-songwriter who auditioned alongside Payne on the 2010 series of X Factor, has called for an investigation into Cowell's company 'I’m calling for an immediate investigation into SyCo Entertainment for negligence and breach of duty of care. Liam's first ever X Factor audition in 2008, when he was just 14 Waissel first took to X on Wednesday night to reveal her heartbreak at her friend's death She later released a long statement in which she described Payne as ' my confidant and my rock', before turning her focus to her views on the state of the music industry' Cowell, 65, was a judge on X Factor and signed One Direction to his music label, Syco after their stint on the show in 2010 'His tragic passing not only leaves an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who loved him but also serves as a painful reminder of the systemic neglect that persists in the industry.