Goodbye to a father, son and pop star: Liam Payne’s coffin carried into church as One Direction star laid to rest

By StephenRigley

Liam Payne is being laid to rest today at a private funeral in the Home Counties, a month after his tragic death aged just 31.

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The One Direction singer's friends and family came together to grieve him following his death in the Argentinine capital of Buenos Aires last month.

Dozens of locals and fans have also gathered outside the church to pay their final respects to the much-loved former One Direction star.

Other guests attending include Payne's girlfriend, US influencer Kate Cassidy, who arrived alongside Damian Hurley, the son of model Elizabeth Hurley.

He rose to fame alongside Styles, Tomlinson, Malik and Horan when Cowell put them together to form One Direction on ITV talent show The X Factor in 2010.

Payne later went on to launch a successful solo career, releasing his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019, which included the songs Polaroid and Strip That Down featuring Quavo.

Cheryl Tweedy was among the mourners paying their respects.

Payne and the Girls Aloud star, who were in a relationship between 2016 and 2018, share a son, Bear.

Following his death last month, the former X Factor judge called for people to respect his memory and not take advantage of his death.

Writing on Instagram, she she shared an image of Liam and their son Bear and wrote: "As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.

"Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son.

"A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.

"What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days.

"It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.

"I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces.

"Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.

"Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last."

Music mogul Simon Cowell was seen arriving in dark sunglasses with his partner Lauren Silverman.

Nicola Robert’s, a member of Girl’s Aloud, was among the first mourners to arrive. She was greeted with a kiss by Simon Jones, the former PR for One Direction who now acts for Cheryl, the mother of Payne's son, Bear.

Kimberley Walsh, 43, was later seen walking through the churchyard followed by Ms Cassidy, 25, who was accompanied by her friend Damian Hurley, 22.

One of the floral displays shows bowling pins and a ball - a nod to his love of bowling, which Ms Cassidy said he did four times a week.

A horse-drawn carriage arrived at the 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 read "daddy".

His parents followed on as it was taken into the church.

'We love you Liam'

After Payne's death, his bandmates said that they miss him "terribly".

They said in a statement: "We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.

"But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.

"For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.

"We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam."

Payne's family also shared a tribute stating: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.

"They added "We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

Simon Cowell who signed Payne to his record label with One Direction has shared he is 'gutted', with an insider stating that he cherished him like his own flesh and blood.

Cowell cancelled the Britains Got Talent auditions as a mark of respect.

Prior to the funeral starting, dozens of locals and fans gathered to pay their final respects to Payne, who died on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

Fans around the world held vigils in his memory following his death, while a shrine to the late star was created in his hometown of Wolverhampton.

He died of multiple traumas and "internal and external haemorrhage", a post-mortem examination report said.