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The funeral of One Direction singer Liam Payne is being held today over a month after his death.
Payne died aged 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
The funeral, being held in the Home Counties, will be attended by his fellow One Direction bandmates and Payne’s family and friends, with girlfriend Kate Cassidy also reported to be there.
This morning preparations got underway with autumnal flowers as well as candle lanterns and white roses draped over the church entrance.
Now, Girls Aloud stars have been pictured arriving, with Nicola Roberts stepping out of a vehicle dressed in black.
Fans from across the globe have continued to hold vigils in memory of Payne following his death.
Elsewhere, fans on social media today have warned other fans not to show up to the funeral, as it’s a private event for friends and family.
‘Not so friendly reminder to some of you with a weird para social relationship with Liam Payne: DON’T SHOW UP AT HIS FUNERAL,’ wrote @bbettiekaren, adding: ‘You’re not a loved one or close friend, he didn’t know you personally and you didn’t know him. Leave his loved ones in peace to say goodbye.’
‘There’s hundreds of ways you can mourn Liam Payne as a fan without being disrespectful and attending his funeral btw,’ wrote @amikagott.
Payne died of multiple traumas and ‘internal and external haemorrhage’, a post-mortem examination report said.
An investigation has been launched into his death by prosecutors, and three people have been charged in connection with the incident.
Payne rose to fame alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan when Simon Cowell put them together to form One Direction on ITV talent show The X Factor in 2010.
He had first auditioned in 2008 when he was 14, singing Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me To The Moon, with judge Cowell telling him to return to the talent show two years later.
In 2010 he impressed the judges with a rendition of Michael Buble’s Cry Me A River before being put with four other solo hopefuls at the boot camp stage of the competition – the group which later became One Direction.
Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, went on to launch a successful solo career, releasing his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019, which included the songs Polaroid and Strip That Down featuring Quavo.
One of his most well-known songs, For You, was a collaboration between him and singer Rita Ora for the film Fifty Shades Freed.
He and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, who were in a relationship between 2016 and 2018, share a son, Bear.
After the news broke of Payne’s death, Cheryl took to social media with an emotional statement, which read: ‘As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,’ Cheryl, 41, began.
‘Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.’
She added that her spirit was being troubled by the thought of not being able to protect Bear in the future from seeing some reports.
‘Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourselves if you’d like your own family or child to read them.
‘Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last. Thank you, Cheryl.’
In a short statement following his death, Payne’s family said: ‘We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.’
One Direction released a joint statement which read: ‘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.’
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