Liam Payne funeral latest: Cheryl, One Direction bandmates and singer’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy attend service

Music mogul Simon Cowell, who created The X Factor on which One Direction - comprising Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik - were formed, has arrived at the church where Payne’s funeral is taking place.

Sharing a post on his Instagram account shortly after Payne’s death, aged 31, in October, Cowell said, “Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty.”

Cowell added, “I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon.”

In the wake of the One Direction star’s tragic death, Payne’s former partner Maya Henry has been caught in a maelstrom of toxic public discourse, writes Olivia Petter.

Singer Perrie Edwards has called for more support for artists in the music industry following the death of Liam Payne.

The Little Mix singer, who dated Liam’s One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik, said artists “aren’t looked after enough”.

Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place Offical podcast, released on Monday (28 October), the 31-year-old said: “There are no consequences for people’s comments online. People are not looked after enough in this industry, people are put on a pedestal.

“They are treated like a god and then everyone jumps on this bandwagon of like ‘let’s tear them down’. But people are human. Can we make rules with social media?”

The funeral of One Direction singer Liam Payne will be held today, with his former bandmates expected to be among the guests attending.

The funeral, being held in the Home Counties, will also be attended by Payne‘s family and friends, with girlfriend Kate Cassidy also reported to be there.

Fans from across the globe have continued to hold vigils in memory of Payne following his death.

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.

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

He had first auditioned in 2008 when he was 14, singing Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me To The Moon”, with judge Cowell telling him to return to the talent show two years later.

In 2010 he impressed the judges with a rendition of Michael Buble’s version of “Cry Me A River” before being put with four other solo hopefuls at the boot camp stage of the competition - the group that later became One Direction.

Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, 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.

One of his most well-known songs, “For You”, was a collaboration between him and singer Rita Ora for the film Fifty Shades Freed.

He and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, who were in a relationship between 2016 and 2018, share a son, Bear.

Additional reporting by Press Association

“I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul,” Liam Payne’s former bandmate Louis Tomlionson wrote in a lengthy statement, following the news of his death.

“I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.

“Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.

“And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.

“A message to you Liam if you’re listening,

“I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours , reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.

“I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.

“I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.

“Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X”

Details of Liam Payne’s funeral arrangements have been kept to a minimum. The Independent understands that Payne’s family wish to keep the funeral as private as possible, with only family members and his closest friends in attendance - therefore no details about the location or timings have been shared.

Payne’s fans have been urging one another to be respectful and to not attempt to try and approach the funeral location.

“You wouldn’t want random people showing up and sharing photos from the service of your loved ones who passed away right?” one fan wrote on X/Twitter. “How about give Liam and his family/friends that same respect?”

“Do whatever you need to do to mourn this loss. But do not show up to the funeral,” another said. “Do not spread pictures of the boys. Let them spend their final moments with their dear friend in private.”

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.”