Simon Cowell doesn't feel "guilt" about Liam Payne's death.

The One Direction star died at the age of 31 last year after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina and Cowell has defended himself against those who criticised his TV talent shows in the wake of the tragedy.

Simon told the Daily Mail newspaper: "Not guilty. When I eventually met with his parents a few months afterwards, obviously we talked about this. Both his mum and dad said to me that music was Liam's passion. His proudest moment was getting through The X Factor the second time.

"The fact he came back said a lot about him. So I don't know what the answer to that question is.

"I don't feel guilt, because you can't guess somebody's destiny. You just can't. All I know is he was immensely proud about what he'd achieved. It meant a lot to him. He really wanted to be well-known and successful. And I think being in the band was the best thing for him."

Simon opened up about the moment he learnt of Liam's death as he was working on Britain's Got Talent.

The 66-year-old star recalled: "I was in Blackpool filming Britain's Got Talent. Somebody who works with me came into my room.

"As soon as I saw her face, I could see she was upset. Nothing has affected me like that since I lost my mum and dad. I remember how that felt and this was not far off.

"I couldn't believe it. All I remember was saying, 'I've got to speak to his parents.' I managed to speak to them, thank God. Immediately."

Cowell added: "(It was) just horrific. I put myself in their position. They were in pieces. I was in pieces. I just said, 'Look, we've just got to be there for each other.'"

Simon explained that he retreated to a "private place" away from his fiancee Lauren Silverman and their son Eric, 11, following Liam's passing.

He said: "'I've got to just go away somewhere on my own for a few days.'

"A private place. Like a retreat, where I was able to switch off. I just sort of meditated and thought about things, because I was so upset. Then you have to come back to your life again.'"