British celebrities and family farewell One Direction star Liam Payne, 31, at private funeral after singer’s fatal fall in Argentina
Celebrities and family have farewelled Liam Payne in an emotional and private ceremony following the One Direction singer’s sudden death in Argentina last month.
Mourners gathered at a small church in Amersham, on the outskirts of London, on Wednesday (local time) for a service and to say their final goodbyes to Payne.
His One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson all reunited publicly, but in the most difficult circumstances.
British celebrities and close family of One Direction star Liam Payne gathered at a church on the outskirts of London for his funeral after his death last month. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Former One Direction star Zayn Malik on Wednesday. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Former bandmate Niall Horan at the private service. Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA via AP
Horan was one of the last close friends Payne had spent time with, attending the Irish singer’s concert in Argentina prior to the fall from the balcony of a hotel.
Simon Cowell, who helped form the group on British X Factor and also judges the show, was seen hand-in-hand with his fiancée Lauren Silverman.
Payne’s American girlfriend Katie Cassidy was seen dressed in a black coat and hiding behind dark shades and was supported by Elizabeth Hurley’s son Damian.
Payne’s girlfriend Katie Cassidy and her friend Damian Hurley. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Factor judge Simon Cowell who helped form One Direction on the talent show is seen hugging the parents of Payne outside the church. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
The One Direction star’s ex partner Cheryl Tweedy was also clearly emotional as she said farewell to the father of their seven-year-old son Bear.
Payne’s son did not appear to be in attendance at the service.
British talk show host and comedian James Gordon was also spotted.
Other stars included radio and TV hosts Marvin and Rochelle Humes, Scott Mills and Adrian Chiles, and Her Girls Aloud bandmates Nicola Roberts and Kimberly Walsh.
Parents Geoff and Karen Payne embrace as they watch the coffin leave the church following the private ceremony. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Parents Geoff and Karen Payne embraced as their 31-year-old son’s dark-blue casket arrived on a horse-drawn carriage adorned with white flowers on top of the coffin.
In heartbreaking scenes, red roses on top of the carriage spelt out son, while the other side read daddy in white flowers, paying tribute to his two biggest roles in life.
After the service, four men carried out the casket led by a priest.
Family and friends spent some time outside the church embracing one another.
Payne died after falling from an Argentinian hotel in October. Picture: Tobias Skarlovnik/Getty Images
A small group of fans could be seen outside nearby watching it play out, however, they stayed away from the private ceremony as requested by Payne’s loved ones.
The singer fell to his death from the third floor of a Buenos Aires hotel on October 16.
The news of the sudden passing shocked the world and the entertainment industry
Payne was with Cassidy who left Argentina two days prior to the father-of-one’s death.
An investigation was launched by local authorities, with prosecutors earlier this month charging three people in connection to the incident.
Payne catapulted to global stardom in 2010 after being put into a group with Styles, Malik, Horan and Tomlinson on British X Factor, finishing in third place.
The group became one of the most successful boy bands, selling 70 million records but would later go their separate ways and forge their own solo careers.
His heartbroken bandmates paid tribute to the 31-year-old with their own statements, describing Payne as “incredibly loving”, a great father and a brother.
