One Direction star Liam Payne’s friends, family and former bandmates came together on Wednesday to pay final tribute to the British singer at his funeral in Buckinghamshire, England. Mr Payne died last month aged 31 after falling from a hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Mourners at the private service at St Mary’s Church in Amersham, outside London, included Payne’s former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.
Former One Direction band member Harry Styles at Liam Payne’s funeral service (AFP)
The late singer’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy also attended the service, as well as his former partner, Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy, with whom he has 7-year-old son Bear.
Kate Cassidy (2L) and model Damien Hurley (2R) at the funeral service of Liam Payne (AFP)
Payne’s coffin arrived in a white horse-drawn hearse with a wreath bearing the words “Son” and “Daddy” on top, followed by his parents, while several dozen fans and spectators lined a unique street. Were. Members of the public stood silently watching the arriving guests.
People carry the coffin of Liam Payne before his funeral (AFP)
Guests were seen embracing each other before laying wreaths at the 12th century church to pay their last respects to the singer.
Flowers were taken to the church ahead of Payne’s funeral service (AFP)
Payne was found dead on October 16 after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room at the Casa Sur hotel in the Argentinian capital. A post-mortem examination found that he died from “multiple trauma” and “internal and external bleeding”. Investigators have said that he was alone at the time of his death and appeared to be “undergoing substance abuse”.
Former One Direction band member Zayn Malik (left) at the funeral service of Liam Payne (AFP)
The singer’s death sparked an outpouring of grief from family, former bandmates and fans around the world, with thousands gathering in cities around the world to mourn.
In a brief statement following his death, Payne’s family said: “We are heartbroken. Liam will always live in our hearts and we will remember him for his kind, funny and brave spirit.”
Former One Direction band member Niall Horan at the funeral service of Liam Payne (AFP Photo)
One Direction said they were “completely devastated” by his death.
Payne was born and raised in Wolverhampton, central England. He is survived by his parents, two sisters and a son, Cheryl Tweedy. He shot to stardom as a teenager after forming the band One Direction on the hit UK talent show “The X Factor” 14 years ago, alongside Mr Styles, Mr Horan, Mr Tomlinson and Mr Malik.
A mourner carries an order of service as he leaves after attending the funeral service of Liam Payne (AFP)
After forming in 2010, the band released an album of radio-ready songs each year for the holiday shopping season and became one of the highest-grossing live acts in the world. In 2016, after Mr. Malik’s departure, the group said it was on indefinite hiatus but not disbanding.
Payne’s debut solo single “Strip That Down” reached number three on the UK charts and number 10 on the US Billboard Top Songs chart. Her last solo work, a single titled “Teardrops”, was released in March, with a second album being promised at that time.
In recent years he has spoken publicly about his struggles with substance abuse and dealing with fame from a young age.
