Heartbroken Cheryl Cole arrives supported by Girls Aloud bandmates at Liam Payne's funeral
11/20/2024 09:16 AM
HEARTBROKEN Cheryl has been seen at Liam Payne’s funeral.
She was supported by Girls Aloud stars Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts at the service in the Home Counties this afternoon.
They were also joined by Liam’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy outside the church where he has now been laid to rest just over a month after he passed away aged just 31.
Kimberley and Nicola were both wearing long black coats with dark sunglasses as they hugged other mourners.
Liam’s former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson were also spotted arriving.
It is the first time Zayn has reunited with the other members of 1D since he left the band in 2015 – months before the split.
Cheryl, 41, shares son Bear, seven, with Liam and spoke of the grief she feels for her son following his dad’s death.
Dozens of locals and fans have also gathered outside the church to pay their final respects.
The private service is being attended by his family and closest friends, with celebrity pals also including Gavin & Stacey writer and actor James Cordon.
The Gavin & Stacey writer and actor accompanied Harry Styles.
JLS star Marvin Humes and his wife The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes, and BBC Radio 2 host Scott Mills, ex-footballer Robbie Keane and broadcaster Adrian Chiles are among the other famous faces.
The entrance of the church which is hosting the service has been decorated with candle lanterns and white roses that have been arranged in surrounding shrubbery.
A horse-drawn carriage has arrived at St Mary’s Church carrying a dark blue coffin with silver handles, topped with white roses.
On top of the carriage, there was a red floral tribute which said “son” and a blue tribute which said “daddy”.
Silence fell upon the crowd as Liam’s father Geoff Payne and his mother Karen got out of a vehicle and stood behind the reverend, next to the carriage.
The white horse-drawn carriage was then driven away and replaced by a black Jaguar hearse parked in front of the church.
A wake will take place following the service.
It was snowing outside the 12th century church where the funeral is taking place.
A marquee was put up in preparation for guests’ arrival.
A floral tribute in the shape of bowling pins was also set up by the entrance.
Autumnal floral displays, made up of red and orange leaves, and white roses, were placed around the doorways of the church.
Florists were also seen unloading dozens of bunches of white flowers from a van shortly after 9am.
A source said: “Liam’s funeral is taking place in the Home Counties.
“His family have gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the send off he deserves.
“Liam may have been a global superstar but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy.
“It is going to be an incredibly difficult day.”
She was a judge on X Factor when Wolverhampton-born Liam found fame as a teenager – and the couple later began dating in 2016.
They welcomed Bear in 2017 and went their separate ways the following year.
In a short statement following his death, Liam’s family said: “We are heartbroken.
“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”
Liam passed away on October 16 after falling from his third floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He had been in the country to renew his US visa having relocated to Florida with his girlfriend, American influencer Kate Cassidy.
During his trip he attended Niall Horan’s sell out concert at the Movistar Arena.
One Direction fans pay tribute
By EMILY-JANE HEAP
ONE Direction fan Alice Chapman came down to pay her respects to Liam Payne ahead of his funeral today.
The full-time mum, 40, who lives in the area where the funeral is being held, said she wanted to show the late singer’s family how “loved” he was.
She told The Sun: “It was such a shock to hear Liam had died. I lost a friend in similar circumstances recently, so it touched my heart.
“Liam was just a normal boy from Wolverhampton who we all watched on the TV on a Saturday night with a Chinese.”
The former events planner added: “It’s a mark of respect to line the street for when his mum and dad drive through.
“I couldn’t imagine anything worse than an empty street if it was my son. We want to show them that people care.
“People don’t appreciate how respected and loved someone was until they are gone.”
Local singer Alice Henry, 47, said she felt compelled to pay tribute to Liam as she is a parishioner at the church where his funeral is being held.
She added: “It’s such a tragic situation. I go to the church and know the vicar who is conducting the service well, so I wanted to come down and pay my respects.”
After news broke of his son’s passing, Liam’s brave father Geoff travelled out to South America to help authorities bring his son back to the UK.
Liam shot to international fame in 2010 when he auditioned for Simon Cowell’s The X Factor as a solo artist.
He was then put into One Direction by the judges.
Despite only coming third on the show, One Direction went on to become the biggest British group since The Beatles.
Throughout their five years together, they sold 70million records and landed four UK No1 singles and four UK No1 albums.
Speaking in 2022, Liam said he hoped to be remembered simply as being a “nice guy” rather than his musical accolades.
Liam said: “Honestly, just being a nice guy. I’d rather be known for being a nice guy than anything else.”
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
Harry Styles' mum Anne was among the first from One Direction’s camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing ‘Just a boy…’ alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: “Such an awful tragedy.
“Sending love to his family and all those who loved him.”
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was “devastated” and “lost for words”.
He wrote on social media: "Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I'm truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x”.
Liam Gallagher said he was “very sad” and told his followers on X: “Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy.”
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: "I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
"He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble."
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the “devastating news” on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: “I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
“We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
“Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can't believe that things have ended this way..it's shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP.”
Niall Horan’s brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a “top young man”.
He added: “You will be forever missed. Liam, words can't describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
“My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
“10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x”
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: “RIP Liam… I can't believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…”
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…
“I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry…”
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
In another tweet, they added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne.”
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: “So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam’s tragic death on Instagram, adding: “Can’t believe this! RIP Liam.”
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: “I’m so taken aback, rest in peace.”
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a “loving and kind soul”.
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
“I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”
Payne previously appeared on Cordon’s The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall – who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part – described him as “the first friend I made in this industry”.
She said: “We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
“Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now”.
Camila Cabello described his death as a “tragedy” and said he “made an impression” on her when she was a young girl.
