Fact Check: Did Simon Cowell pass away? Viral post debunked amid rising concern among netizens
Rumors of Simon Cowell's death have gone viral on Facebook, especially following news of former One Direction member Liam Payne’s passing, as Cowell originally formed the group. Many fans expressed sorrow online, but these reports are false—Cowell is alive.
Facebook page B58 News took to the social networking site on October 20 to share a picture of a news anchor shedding a tear about Simon Cowell dying. A picture of a casket with flowers was also shared online. The phrase “DIED TODAY” was shown in bold in the picture the netizen shared online.
The Facebook post read, “Very sad, 10 minutes ago in Chicago, ‘America’s Got Talent’ Simon Cowell, he has been confirmed as…”
The report of his supposed passing came out on October 20, however, as per Metro, Cowell attended the 2024 Pride of Britain Awards on Monday night, October 21.
Several internet users flooded the comment section of the Facebook post with tributary messages. Nonetheless, comments read:
Cowell had taken to Instagram to pay tribute to Payne by calling him “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful talented" as well on October 19. Meanwhile, other reactions read:
As rumors of the former X Factor judge passing away circulate online, it is worth noting that this is not the first time Simon Cowell has fallen prey to celebrity death hoaxes. Meanwhile, other reactions read:
Simon Cowell is not dead
As mentioned prior, the 65-year-old is very much alive. The celebrity is one of the latest victims of internet death hoaxes. A few others who have landed in similar situations in the past include DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, and Ashton Kutcher, among others.
Cowell also appeared in the Pride of Britain Awards. In the same, Simon delivered the Child of Courage Award to Aiyla Mota. He also paid tribute to his late friend and former Mirror editor, Peter Willis.
This is not the first time claims of Cowell passing away have made it online. In January 2023, singer Sinitta, who briefly dated Cowell, reportedly received messages of Cowell passing away, subsequently leading to her taking to X to condemn the death hoax by saying, “This is a terrible prank that Simon Cowell is dead. It freaked me out last night when people started messaging me. Simon is NOT dead people- he is very much alive and well.”
Meanwhile, many continue to mourn the loss of Liam Payne, who died at the age of 31 after falling off of a Buenos Aires, Argentina, hotel balcony on October 16. He is survived by his seven year old son Bear.