Talent scout and recently-turned vegan Simon Cowell has opened up about his co-judge and close friend Louis Tomlinson, who, two years on from losing his mother to leukaemia, recently suffered the tragic loss of his 18-year-old sister Félicité.
Speaking to The Sun, Simon spoke about Louis' future on the show, as well as praising the star for his 'strength' during such a difficult time, saying, "He has a fantastic career but on a personal side, his mum, his sister, his dad — to take on all of that, God only knows where he found the strength to do that."
The popular judge, who was Louis' mentor back in the One Direction days, has grown very close to the singer over the years. Simon said, "But he is strong, I reached out to say, as friends here, we’re always here for you."
On the topic of the show, the 59-year-old revealed he would understand if Louis wanted to sit this year out, saying, "If he said to me, I am taking time off I would respect that. He’s a great judge, by the way. He worked so hard for it.
"What he has gone through, you don’t even think about work, you just think about how you’re going to be there for him as his friend."
Hot dads gallery - heat and radio slider with cover pic
1 of 31Swipe through to see our collection of the fittest celebrity dads...
2 of 31Liam Payne
One Direction singer Liam Payne is a dad to baby Bear Grey Payne, who he co-parents with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl.
3 of 31David Beckham
Ex-footballer and all round hunk of man David Beckham is a dad to four kids with his wife, Spice Girl Victoria. David has three sons, Romeo, Brooklyn and Cruz, and one daughter called Harper Seven.
4 of 31Tom Hardy
Venom actor Tom Hardy likes to keep his family life private! But the actor has two sons with his wife Charlotte Riley.
5 of 31Ashley Banjo
Diversity star and Dancing On Ice judge Ashley Banjo recently became a dad for the first time when his wife Francesca welcomed a baby girl called Rose.
6 of 31Peter Andre
The lovable and very handsome Peter Andre has four children in total. He shares Princess and Junior with his ex-wife Katie Price, and he also has Amelia and Theo with his wife Emily.
7 of 31Channing Tatum
Magic Mike star Channing Tatum is a doting dad to his daughter Everly.
8 of 31Jamie Redknapp
Ex-footballer Jamie Redknapp shares two sons with his ex-wife Louise Redknapp, Beau and Charles.
9 of 31George Clooney
He didn't become a dad until the age of 56, but that hasn't stopped Hollywood actor George Clooney doting on his twins.
10 of 31Nathan Massey
Love Island 2016 winner Nathan Massey is loving fatherhood after his girlfriend and fellow Islander Cara de la Hoyde welcomed a baby boy called Freddie in 2018.
11 of 31Ryan Thomas
Former Corrie actor and Celebrity Big Brother winner Ryan Thomas often shares adorable photos with his daughter Scarlett, who he shares with ex-girlfriend Tina O'Brien.
12 of 31Dan Osborne
Former TOWIE star Dan Osborne loves sharing cute snaps on social media with his three children Teddy, Ella and new arrival Mia.
13 of 31Rio Ferdinand
Since the tragic death of his wife Rebecca in 2015, ex-footballer Rio Ferdinand has melted the nation's hearts with the way he talks about his three children, Tate, Tia and Lorenz.
14 of 31Idris Elba
Luther actor Idris Elba is a dad to two children, his daughter Isan and his son Winston.
15 of 31Scott Disick
He may no longer be dating Kourtney Kardashian, but Scott Disick is a great dad to his three children, Mason, Penelope and Reign.
16 of 31Tom Daley
Olympic diver Tom Daley became a doting dad with his husband Dustin Lance Black back in 2018, with the couple calling their son Robbie.
17 of 31Hugh Jackman
Everybody's favourite Aussie Hugh Jackman is not only The Greatest Showman, he's also a doting dad to two children, his daughter Ava and his son Oscar.
18 of 31Kanye West
Some of his views are a little controversial, but there's no denying Kanye West loves his three kids, North, Saint and Chicago.
19 of 31Kieron Richardson
Hollyoaks actor Kieron Richardson became a dad to twins in 2017 with his husband Carl, with the couple using a surrogate to welcome Phoebe and Chase.
20 of 31Brad Pitt
Hollywood legend Brad Pitt is a dad to six children with his ex-wife Angelina Jolie. The couple conceived three children, Shiloh and twins Maddox and Vivienne, and also adopted three kids, Zahara, Knox and Pax.
21 of 31Will Smith
He's one of the coolest dads on the planet, so it's no surprise his three children, Trey, Jaden and Willow, are following in their dad's footsteps.
22 of 31Hugh Grant
Love Actually actor Hugh Grant is a dad to three children, Felix, John and Tabitha.
23 of 31Tom Fletcher
He's one of the cutest dads around, and we are crying out for another Fletcher pregnancy announcement! McFly star Tom shares three children with his wife Giovanna, Buddy, Buzz and his youngest Max.
24 of 31John Legend
American singer John Legend melts our hearts with his little family, which includes the two children he shares with his wife Chrissy Teigen, daughter Luna and son Miles.
25 of 31Mario Falcone
He was once the lothario of Essex, but since becoming a dad to his adorable son Parker, former TOWIE star Mario Falcone is a devoted family man.
26 of 31Michael Bublé
Singer Michael Bublé adores his three children Noah, Vida and Elias.
27 of 31Orlando Bloom
He's engaged to singer Katy Perry now, but Orlando Bloom is a dad to his son Flynn.
28 of 31Paul Carrick Brunson
Celebs Go Dating coach Paul Brunson certainly knows what he's talking about when it comes to love! Paul shares two children, Liam and Kingston, with his wife Jill Brunson.
29 of 31Chris Pratt
Jurassic World actor Chris Pratt has expressed his interest in starting a family with his fiancé Katherine Schwarzenegger, but he's already a dad to his son Jack.
30 of 31Gary Barlow
Take That frontman Gary Barlow is a doting dad to three children, his two daughters Daisy and Emily, and his son Daniel.
31 of 31Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds and his wife Blake Lively often give us serious relationship goals, the pair share two children together, James and Inez.
Louis took to Instagram yesterday (23rd April) to share a candid message with his fans about his most recent thoughts on his career.
Of course, Simon also dished out some goss on ex-judges Robbie and Ayda Williams- revealing the REAL reason they quit the show earlier this month (April).
NOW WATCH: 'One day, one day!': Louis Tomlinson address 1D reunion rumours as he Answers the Internet!
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