Liam Payne funeral: One Direction members reunite to join mourners to farewell bandmate
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne has been farewelled in a heartbreaking funeral service held just over a month after his tragic death in Buenos Aires.
Payne was found dead after he fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in the Argentinian capital in October, triggering a police investigation and outpouring of grief from celebrities and fans around the world.
Just over a month later, Payne’s family and friends attended a private church service at St Mary’s Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, northwest of London, to bid the singer farewell.
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The singer’s devastated parents, Geoff and Karen, were seen waiting outside the church as their son’s navy blue coffin arrived in a white carriage drawn by two white horses.
His casket was adorned with floral tributes spelling the words “Son” and “Daddy”.
Payne and his bandmates were catapulted to global fame in the 2010s after Simon Cowell brought them together on the X Factor talent show in the United Kingdom. Cowell was also photographed arriving at the funeral.
The group went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2016.
The four surviving members of the group penned tributes to their “brother” in the wake of his death.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” they said in a joined statement.
“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.”
The bandmates also issued their own solo tributes to Payne.
With their tousled hair and youthful charm, the band members became teen idols through hit singles like What Makes You Beautiful, Live While We’re Young, Best Song Ever and Story of My Life.
Payne’s former partner, singer Cheryl, with whom he shared a son, now aged seven, was also at the service, according to media reports.
Argentine authorities have charged three people in connection with Payne’s death after an autopsy revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he died.
— with Reuters
