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.
Harry Styles, 30, joined fellow members of One Direction Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, to celebrate the life of their beloved former bandmate. They have described themselves as ‘completely devastated’.
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.
Cheryl leaving the church following an emotional ceremony attended by family members and a host of stars
Cheryl was in a relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018 and they share a son, Bear
Harry Styles leaves the service, which was also attended by his former One Direction bandmates
The star left the church and stepped into a waiting car, which drove him off
Niall Horan was accompanied by Amelia Woolley, his girlfriend of four years
Louis Tomlinson leaves the church holding an order of service
Zayn Malik, who wore a black jacket, jack shirt and dark sunglasses, walks through the churchyard after the service concluded
Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, was comforted by her friend Damian Hurley, 22
Kimberley Walsh
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
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The service began shortly after a horse-drawn carriage arrived at the church carrying a dark blue coffin with silver handles, topped with white roses. On top of the carriage, there was a red floral tribute which said ‘son’ and a blue tribute which said ‘daddy’.
Silence fell upon the crowd as Payne’s father Geoff and his mother Karen got out of a vehicle and stood next to the carriage before the dark blue coffin was carried into the church through a side door.
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.
Two traffic enforcement officers patrolled the area handing out tickets to any drivers ignoring the signs.
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.
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.
Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles arrives at his funeral today
Louis Tomlinson was seen talking to mourners before walking into the service
Niall Horan and his girlfriend Amelia Woolley were dropped off by a black Range Rover and went straight into the church
Zayn Malik wore a black velvet jacket and sunglasses as he stepped inside the church
Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, arriving at the church for the singer’s funeral today alongside Damian Hurley, 22
Simon Cowell accompanied by his girlfriend, Lauren Silverman
Kimberley Walsh, 43, was among the first celebrities to arrive outside the church
Singer Nicola Roberts, 39, hugs a fellow mourner before the funeral this afternoon
Payne’s coffin draws up outside the flint-napped church on a bright but cold day in the Home Counties
Payne’s father Geoff outside the front door of the church as he waits for the hearse to arrive
The singer’s parents both watched as their son’s coffin was brought into the building
Cheryl Cole will be attending the One Direction star’s funeral today. She’s seen earlier this year
One source told The Sun: ‘His family have gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the send off he deserves.
‘Liam may have been a global superstar but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy. It is going to be an incredibly difficult day.’
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.
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
James Corden accompanied Styles into the church on a bright but cold day
Marvin and Rochelle Humes were also in attendance, and are seen here chatting to fellow mourners
Robbie Keane arrives at Payne’s funeral, the location of which was not revealed beforehand
Harry Styles wore a black jacket, a black tie and sunglasses. He is seen shortly after getting out of his car
The singer got out of a black car before making his way towards the church
A small crowd of local people gathered outside the church as mourners, including Styles, walked in
The hearse was pulled through the streets by two white horses with plumes of feathers
Pallbearers carrying Payne’s coffin into the churchyard for his funeral this afternoon
The service has not been opened to the public, with only family and friends in attendance
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’.
Niall Horan is greeted as he walks into the church past security guards
Tomlinson and Malik walk past floral tributes to their former bandmate
Malik had his head bowed and wore sunglasses while passing through the churchyard
Cowell, seen with his girlfriend Laurence Silverman, created One Direction
Chris Stark (left) and Jordan North (centre) arrive for Payne’s funeral
Ms Cassidy was accompanied into the service by her friend, Damian Hurley
Corden arrives at the service, which is being held at a church in the Home Counties
Rochelle Humes was accompanied by her husband Marvin
Damian Hurley waits outside with mourners before Payne’s funeral
Adrian Chiles walking through the churchyard wearing a West Bromwich Albion top
Members of the public line the route to Payne’s funeral service
Payne rose to fame with band One Direction. He is pictured with his bandmates in 2013
Flower arrangers outside the entrance of the church where his funeral is taking place
Flowers being prepared at the church in the Home Counties ahead of Payne’s funeral
Aerial view of the hotel where Payne died in Buenos Aires
Louis Tomlinson said he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’ in a separate tribute to Payne
Zayn Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne ‘hoping you can hear me’
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.
Payne had been on holiday in South America with girlfriend Kate Cassidy (left)
Tributes and flowers are placed outside St. Peter’s collegiate church to remember former One Direction singer Liam Payne, in Wolverhampton
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.’