Cheryl has bid an emotional final goodbye to Liam Payne – the father of her seven-year-old son – as he was laid to rest in a private service following his tragic death at the age of just 31.
The former Girls Aloud singer, 41, walked behind her ex’s coffin following a poignant ceremony attended by family members and a host of stars from the world of music and sport.
Simon Cowell, who created One Direction, embraced Payne’s parents Geoff and Karen as they left the church, while Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, was comforted by her friend Damian Hurley, 22.
Cheryl was in a relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018 and they share a son, Bear. She was supported at the service by fellow Girls Aloud members Nicola Roberts, 39, and Kimberley Walsh, 43.
Joining them were the likes of new Radio 2 Breakfast DJ Scott Mills, James Corden and Marvin and Rochelle Humes – who passed floral displays showing bowling pins and a ball in a touching tribute to Payne’s love of bowling.
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Cheryl leaving the church following an emotional ceremony attended by family members and a host of stars
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Cheryl was in a relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018 and they share a son, Bear
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Harry Styles leaves the service, which was also attended by his former One Direction bandmates
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The star left the church and stepped into a waiting car, which drove him off
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Niall Horan was accompanied by Amelia Woolley, his girlfriend of four years
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Louis Tomlinson leaves the church holding an order of service
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Zayn Malik, who wore a black jacket, jack shirt and dark sunglasses, walks through the churchyard after the service concluded
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Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, was comforted by her friend Damian Hurley, 22
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Kimberley Walsh, a former member of Girls Aloud, leaves through the churchyard
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Payne’s coffin is carried out of the church by pallbearers following the service
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It was then placed into a waiting hearse. The service is being followed by a private wake
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Payne, pictured in Dubai last year, died aged 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires
A horse-drawn carriage carried the dark blue coffin with silver handles and topped with white roses to the service.
On top of the carriage, there was a red floral tribute which said ‘son’ and a blue tribute which said ‘daddy’.
Following the service, his coffin was carried outside and placed inside a black Jaguar hearse.
Other celebrities who attended the service included Capital radio DJs Chris Stark, Jordan North and Sian Welby, who all arrived together.
Scott Mills, who spent a lot of time with One Direction in the early days of their career, wore a black long coat over dark trousers for the service.
Former professional footballer Robbie Keane and broadcaster Adrian Chiles were also amongst the mourners gathering to pay their last respects.
Niall Horan and his girlfriend Amelia Woolley were dropped off by a black Range Rover and went straight into the church, while Harry Styles was accompanied by actor and presenter James Corden.
JLS star Marvin Humes wore a long back coat, black trousers and black gloves while Rochelle also donned a long coat with cape detailing.
The funeral’s location had been a closely guarded secret, and local residents only realised it was taking place when ‘no parking’ signs were erected around the church.
A handful of locals and fans gathered outside the church to pay their final respects.
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Styles and James Corden following the service, which was attended by friends and family
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Niall Horan leaving through the churchyard with his girlfriend
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Nicola Roberts, who was previously in Girls Aloud with Cheryl
Tara Lloyd, 20, a hospital ward hostess, said: ‘He was a great guy, Liam Payne. The way he passed away was very sudden – I was very shocked and at first I was a little bit in denial.
‘Growing up, I was a massive fan of One Direction, so I almost felt like a little piece of the child in me was gone.’
Cleaner Alicia Salisbury, 32, who had travelled from London, called him ‘a legend’ and described One Direction as ‘the biggest boy band of all time.’
‘Plus solo artist, dancer, actor, you can’t really beat that. What a career he had,’ she added, referring to Payne.
‘He’ll always hold a special place in everyone’s heart’, she added.
Heidi Camp, 33, who lives nearly, said: ‘Of all the places in England, it’s quite an honour that his family has chosen to do this here.’
She said she first became a fan of Liam Payne when he appeared as a solo auditionee in The X Factor in 2010, just before One Direction was formed.
‘I remember Simon Cowell putting them together and I loved them – I did not think for a second they’d be as big as they became. Liam was great – they’re all great boys.’
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Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles arrives at his funeral today
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Louis Tomlinson was seen talking to mourners before walking into the service
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Niall Horan and his girlfriend Amelia Woolley were dropped off by a black Range Rover and went straight into the church
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Zayn Malik wore a black velvet jacket and sunglasses as he stepped inside the church
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Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, arriving at the church for the singer’s funeral today alongside Damian Hurley, 22
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Simon Cowell accompanied by his girlfriend, Lauren Silverman
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Kimberley Walsh, 43, was among the first celebrities to arrive outside the church
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Singer Nicola Roberts, 39, hugs a fellow mourner before the funeral this afternoon
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Payne’s coffin draws up outside the flint-napped church on a bright but cold day in the Home Counties
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Payne’s father Geoff outside the front door of the church as he waits for the hearse to arrive
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The singer’s parents both watched as their son’s coffin was brought into the building
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Cheryl Cole will be attending the One Direction star’s funeral today. She’s seen earlier this year
Payne travelled to Argentina in September where he watched former bandmate Niall Horan perform and also saw his close friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores. He had extended his stay to renew his visa to live in the US when the tragedy occurred.
In a joint statement released following Payne’s death, Tomlinson, Malik, Horan, and Styles said they were ‘completely devastated.’
‘In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,’ they said.
‘But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.
‘The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.
‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.’
Tomlinson, Styles and Malik all later released separate tributes.
Styles wrote on Instagram that he was ‘truly devastated’ and will ‘miss him always’.
‘His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
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Scott Mills, who was yesterday revealed as the new host of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, walks past a floral display showing bowling pins and a ball. This is a nod to Payne’s love of bowling, which Ms Cassidy said he did four times a week
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James Corden accompanied Styles into the church on a bright but cold day
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Marvin and Rochelle Humes were also in attendance, and are seen here chatting to fellow mourners
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Robbie Keane arrives at Payne’s funeral, the location of which was not revealed beforehand
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Harry Styles wore a black jacket, a black tie and sunglasses. He is seen shortly after getting out of his car
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The singer got out of a black car before making his way towards the church
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A small crowd of local people gathered outside the church as mourners, including Styles, walked in
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The hearse was pulled through the streets by two white horses with plumes of feathers
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Pallbearers carrying Payne’s coffin into the churchyard for his funeral this afternoon
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The service has not been opened to the public, with only family and friends in attendance
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A floral tribute reading ‘Daddy’. Payne shared a seven-year-old son with his ex girlfriend, Cheryl Tweedy
‘Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.
‘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 him and loved him, as I did.’
Tomlinson said in a separate emotional tribute that he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’.
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Niall Horan is greeted as he walks into the church past security guards
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Tomlinson and Malik walk past floral tributes to their former bandmate
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Malik had his head bowed and wore sunglasses while passing through the churchyard
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Cowell, seen with his girlfriend Laurence Silverman, created One Direction
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Chris Stark (left) and Jordan North (centre) arrive for Payne’s funeral
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Ms Cassidy was accompanied into the service by her friend, Damian Hurley
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Corden arrives at the service, which is being held at a church in the Home Counties
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Rochelle Humes was accompanied by her husband Marvin
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Damian Hurley waits outside with mourners before Payne’s funeral
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Adrian Chiles walking through the churchyard wearing a West Bromwich Albion top
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Members of the public line the route to Payne’s funeral service
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Payne rose to fame with band One Direction. He is pictured with his bandmates in 2013
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Flower arrangers outside the entrance of the church where his funeral is taking place
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Flowers being prepared at the church in the Home Counties ahead of Payne’s funeral
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Aerial view of the hotel where Payne died in Buenos Aires
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Louis Tomlinson said he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’ in a separate tribute to Payne
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Zayn Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne ‘hoping you can hear me’
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Harry Styles wrote on Instagram that he was ‘truly devastated’ and will ‘miss him always’
He posted a picture on his Instagram page of the two of them on stage with Payne lovingly putting his arm over Tomlinson’s shoulder.
Tomlinson said he would be an uncle to Payne’s son Bear if he ‘ever needs me’ and ‘tell him stories of how amazing his dad was’.
‘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,’ he wrote.
‘I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.
‘I wish I got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.
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Payne had been on holiday in South America with girlfriend Kate Cassidy (left)
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Tributes and flowers are placed outside St. Peter’s collegiate church to remember former One Direction singer Liam Payne, in Wolverhampton
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One Direction fans gather to pay tribute to Liam Payne, at the Monument of the Revolution, in Mexico City on October 17
‘Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X’.
Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne ‘hoping you can hear me’.
In his own heart wrenching tribute, he said he had ‘lost a brother when you left us’.
‘And I can’t explain 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,’ he wrote.
‘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.’
