Liam Payne funeral latest: One Direction star’s bandmates and girlfriend Kate Cassidy arrive at church
Pop star, who died in Buenos Aires last month, rose to fame with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson as a member of the chart-topping boyband
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One Direction star Liam Payne’s funeral is taking place today, with his family, closest friends and former bandmates expected to attend.
The first mourners have arrived, including Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy and Girls Aloud singers Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, who were pictured wearing long black coats and sunglasses.
Dozens of locals and fans have also gathered outside the church to pay their final respects to the British singer, who died aged 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room on 16 October.
Payne’s fellow One Direction bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik said they were “devastated” by his passing but “the memories we shared with him will be treasured forever”.
For years, Payne was one of the biggest names in pop, having shot to fame with his One Direction bandmates after forming on The X Factor in 2010. During their five-year career, they sold 70 million records and achieved four No 1 singles and four No 1 albums.
Payne, who co-wrote several of the band’s hits, also achieved solo success after One Direction split in 2016, with tracks such as “Strip That Down” and “Bedroom Floor”.
Follow the latest updates below:
Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson have all arrived for the pop singer’s funeral today.
Styles was accompanied by his friend, actor and TV presenter James Cordon. The pair arrived at St Mary's Church in a BMW and were dressed in black.
They went straight inside the church.
Harry Styles’s tribute to Liam Payne
As well as the joint tribute with his surviving One Direction bandmates, Harry Styles shared a personal message from his Instagram following Payne’s death.
“I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing,” he wrote.
“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 infectiou. 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.
“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.”
Harry Styles pictured outside church for Liam Payne’s funeral
Jamie Scott, architect behind some of One Direction’s biggest hits, arrives at Liam Payne’s funeral
Jamie Scott has arrived at Liam Payne’s funeral. One Direction fans will recognise him as the writer and producer behind some of One Direction’s biggest hits - he is the only collaborator to have worked on every one of their albums and helped them to transition from teen pop into a more mature sound.
Among the singles he co-wrote include “Story of My Life”, “Drag Me Down”, “Night Changes” and “Midnight Memories”, while he also collaborated with 1D’s members after their split in 2016, most notably with Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
Nicole Scherzinger says she is ‘heartbroken’ over Liam Payne in first interview since his death
Nicole Scherzinger said she is “heartbroken” over Liam Payne in her first live interview since his death.
The former X Factor judge also revealed how she wants people to remember the One Direction star as she paid an emotional tribute to him when she appeared on Good Morning America on Friday (25 October).
The 46-year-old said: “Liam and I were quite close.
“And so, yeah, I’m heartbroken. I’m heartbroken for Liam. I’m heartbroken for his family and his loved ones and his fans.
“Liam always led with his heart and with kindness, and I really hope that’s how he’ll always be remembered.”
The 31-year-old singer tragically died on 16 October after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
Nicole Scherzinger says she is ‘heartbroken’ over Liam Payne in live TV interview
Nicole Scherzinger said she is “heartbroken” over Liam Payne in her first live interview since his death. The former X Factor judge also revealed how she wants people to remember the One Direction star as she paid an emotional tribute to him when she appeared on Good Morning America on Friday (25 October). The 46-year-old said: “Liam and I were quite close. “And so, yeah, I'm heartbroken. I'm heartbroken for Liam. I'm heartbroken for his family and his loved ones and his fans. “Liam always led with his heart and with kindness, and I really hope that's how he'll always be remembered.” The 31-year-old singer tragically died on 16 October after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
IN PICTURES: Liam Payne’s girfriend Kate Cassidy among first mourners to arrive
PICTURES: Tributes to Liam Payne are laid in a park in his home town of Wolverhampton
VIDEO: Ant Middleton reflects on Liam Payne’s advice to those struggling with mental health
A church ahead of the funeral service for former One Direction singer Liam Payne, near London, Britain
Zayn Malik’s moving tribute to Liam Payne
Zayn Malik also paid tribute to Payne on his personal Instagram account, sharing a sweet photo of the pair of them sleeping in the back of a tour bus.
“Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” Malik wrote.
“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.
“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f***s about telling people when they were wrong. Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.
“When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison. I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
“I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.
“I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments