Simon Cowell says he had to “disappear” after Liam Payne’s death and describes feeling “really, really struggling.” In remarks for a new Daily Mail podcast, Cowell, who is 66, recounts that following Payne’s death at age 31, he found the situation difficult and chose to step away. The statement is presented as Cowell’s personal reaction to Payne’s passing, with Cowell speaking directly about his own mental and emotional state at the time. The reports characterize the comments as part of Cowell’s discussion on “Tales From the Celebrity Trenches,” where he reflects on his experience after Payne’s death. The coverage does not add further details about the reasons for Cowell’s disappearance beyond his account of struggling, nor does it include additional information about the circumstances of Payne’s death.