AceShowbiz - Simon Cowell, 65, attended the Pride of Britain Awards in London, marking his first public appearance since the passing of Liam Payne, 31. While Cowell typically walks the red carpet, he reportedly skipped it on this occasion and headed straight into the ceremony.

On stage, Cowell paid tribute to his late friend and former Sun journalist Peter Willis, who passed away at the age of 54 in 2021. Willis was the mastermind behind the Pride of Britain Awards, which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.

Cowell's attendance comes days after he mourned the loss of Liam Payne, who died after a tragic fall from a hotel balcony in Argentina. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Cowell expressed his devastation and shared memories of their time together.

Payne, a former "The X Factor" contestant, became a global sensation as a member of One Direction with bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan. Simon, who helped form the band, was deeply affected by Payne's untimely passing.

In his tribute to Peter Willis, Cowell honored his friend's legacy and his passion for recognizing ordinary people who have made extraordinary contributions to society.

Cowell also acknowledged King Charles' deep compassion for the work celebrated by the Pride of Britain Awards, particularly the inclusion of young people helped by his former organization, the Prince's Trust.

Cowell's appearance at the Pride of Britain Awards marked a significant step in his return to public life following the loss of two close friends. His absence from "Britain's Got Talent" auditions was met with support and understanding, as the music mogul took time to process his grief.