One Direction reunite as they say goodbye to Liam Payne at his funeral
by Isabelle Bates, https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/authors/isabelle-bates/ · Birmingham LiveMembers of boyband One Direction reunited publicly for the first time in almost ten years for a heartbreaking reason. Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson all travelled to Buckinghamshire to attend Liam Payne's funeral.
The fifth member of the band, 31, tragically died in Argentina last month after he fell from a hotel balcony. His dad, Geoff, travelled to South America to bring his body back to the UK and a service was held today (Wednesday, November 20).
Loved ones included celebrities such as James Corden, Scott Mills and Jordan North. Cheryl also attended, as she shared a seven-year-old son with Liam.
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Heartbreakingly, a floral tribute spelling 'daddy' was seen outside the church. It is not known if Liam's son, Bear, attended the service.
Celebrities were pictured outside a church in Buckinghamshire as they prepare to start the service. Stars include: James Cordon, Marvin and Rochelle Humes, Damien Hurley, Scott Mills, Jordan North, Simon Cowell, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh.
Kate Cassidy, Liam's girlfriend, was pictured wearing dark sunglasses as she approached the building. Others could be seen comforting each other as they prepared to enter the church.
Liam, who was from Wolverhampton, rose to fame on The X Factor where he was placed into boyband One Direction. Fans across the world mourned his death on October 16, with many tributes being left in West Park in the city.
His heartbroken family previously said: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul."
Harry Styles added at the time: "I am truly devastated by Liam's passing. His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
"Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend."