Simon Cowell's mother Julie has died at the age of 89, it was announced today.
The X Factor judge and his family said they were heartbroken and would "miss her terribly".
A spokesman for them confirmed that Mrs Cowell, a former dancer, died today.
They said: "Today our beloved mum Julie passed away. Anyone who had met her would know what a truly special and kind lady she was. We are heartbroken and will miss her terribly, but she is now at peace."
She died of a stroke and had spent time in a hospital in London recently, a family source told The Sun.
Mrs Cowell was the mother of four boys - Nicholas, Simon, Tony and Michael, and step-mother to John and June.
Tony tweeted this evening: "Very sad night tonight. We will all miss Mum so very much. She was the heart and soul of our family x"
According to The Sun newspaper, the music mogul has been in constant contact with his brothers and is devastated.
A source said: "His mum was the most beloved person in his life and they were incredibly close.
"But at least she got to see him settle down and start a family which was one of the great wishes of her life."
Simon, 55, welcomed his first child Eric with girlfriend Lauren Silverman in February 2014.
ITV bosses have cancelled the first day of X Factor auditions in Manchester with the new judging line-up, including Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw and regular judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.
A show source told The Sun: "Everyone at X Factor is devastated for Simon and there was no suggestion that filming would go ahead."
