Simon Cowell makes Zayn Malik joke as One Direction present him with Music Industry Trusts Award
Simon Cowell cracked a joke about Zayn Malik’s absence from One Direction as the boy band presented him with the Music Industry Trusts Award at a lavish London ceremony.
Cowell, 56, was honoured with the 24th MITS Award in recognition of his contribution to the music and entertainment industry, as well as charitable causes at the event at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.
Speaking as he took to the stage, the X Factor judge joked: "Just by luck I get the award I've been wanting all my life and I'm completely hammered. Guys, who misses Zayn?"
The audience burst into laughter before the music mogul – who received a standing ovation – thanked the inventor of Botox.
"You have no idea how much money you've made me,” he said. “I can't look surprised but ... "
Cowell – who was joined at the event by his partner Lauren Silverman – also dedicated the award to his late father Eric, and to his mother, Julie, who died earlier this year.
On his son Eric, he said: "I hope he will be standing here in 23 years' time as I'm being wheeled into the Grosvenor House Hotel on my second pack of cigarettes."
Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson were among those who paid tribute to Cowell.
“We’re truly honoured to present this award to our boss Simon Cowell,” Payne told the audience. “When we started on X Factor we could’ve never imagined how Simon was about to transform our lives. We’ve got to travel the world and do something we love for the past five years. It’s been such an amazing journey so thank you very much.”
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, James Corden, Oprah Winfrey, Richard Curtis and Kevin Spacey were among those who praised Cowell in a video tribute, while musical tributes included performances from Il Divo, Olly Murs and Leona Lewis who performed Bleeding Love and a duet with Labrinth.
Hosted by Jo Whiley, the event also featured a charity auction to raise money for Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Trust.
Louis Walsh bid £20,000 to return to the X Factor for one day as a judge - during a dress rehersal.
