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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:
Harry Styles pictured outside church for Liam Payne’s funeral
Roisin O’Connor20 November 2024 12:53
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.
Roisin O’Connor20 November 2024 12:49
Nicole Scherzinger says she is ‘heartbroken’ over Liam Payne in first 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.
Roisin O’Connor20 November 2024 12:41
IN PICTURES: Liam Payne’s girfriend Kate Cassidy among first mourners to arrive
Roisin O’Connor20 November 2024 12:39
PICTURES: Tributes to Liam Payne are laid in a park in his home town of Wolverhampton
Roisin O’Connor20 November 2024 12:24
VIDEO: Ant Middleton reflects on Liam Payne’s advice to those struggling with mental health
Roisin O’Connor20 November 2024 12:21
A church ahead of the funeral service for former One Direction singer Liam Payne, near London, Britain
Roisin O’Connor20 November 2024 12:01
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.”
Roisin O’Connor20 November 2024 12:01
Leading songwriter urges music industry to stop pushing teenagers into stardom after Liam Payne’s death
In the wake of Liam Payne’s death, a leading figure within the music industry has called on measures to be introduced to stop youngsters being pushed into pop stardom.
Payne was 31 when he died on 16 October after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A preliminary autopsy reported that the singer died as a result of the injuries he suffered from the fall.
Payne was 16 when he became a member of One Direction on The X Factor, but Guy Chambers, the former songwriter for Robbie Williams, now wants the music industry to stop working with talent under the age of 18.
“I do think putting a 16-year-old in an adult world like that is potentially really damaging. Robbie experienced that, certainly,” Chambers told The Observer.
Greg Evans20 November 2024 11:41
VIDEO: Rita Ora fights back tears in Liam Payne tribute at MTV EMAs
Roisin O’Connor20 November 2024 11:21