FameFlynetUK/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES Simon Cowell's mother Julie Cowell died Sunday at the age of 89.
In the wake of her passing, X Factor U.K. auditions scheduled to begin Monday in Manchester have been canceled. "They were due to start today and carry on into Tuesday and Wednesday," a Syco Entertainment spokesman said in a statement Monday. "Today's have been cancelled and we have not made any decisions beyond that."
A spokesperson for the Cowell family announced her death Sunday night, saying, "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."
Julie had four sons—Simon, Nicholas, Tony and Michael—and two stepchildren, John and June. All of the kids will "miss her terribly," a spokesperson said.
"We would like to thank the media for kindly respecting Julie's privacy throughout and we politely request continued privacy for the entire family at this particularly difficult time," added a family spokesperson.
Julie's husband, Eric Selig Phillip Cowell, passed away in 1999. Simon, who has yet to issue a personal statement about the loss of his mother, had close relationships with both of his parents. He and Lauren Silverman's son, born Feb. 2014, is named Eric in honor of Simon's late father.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Cowell family.
—Reporting by Lindsay Good