Kimberley Walsh supported by Girls Aloud stars at Liam Payne's funeral on her birthday

Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh was comforted by bandmate Nicola Roberts as they attended One Direction star Liam Payne's funeral in support of Cheryl Tweedy

Kimberley Walsh supported her Girls Aloud bandmate Cheryl Tweedy at Liam Payne's intimate funeral.

The singer joined Cheryl and fellow bandmate Nicola Roberts as they said their final goodbye to the late star. One Direction singer Liam tragically died last month when he fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 16. Three people have since been charged in connection over the death of Liam, who rose to stardom as a budding singer on the X Factor.

His former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson were among those he arrived at the entrance of the church in Buckinghamshire. Cheryl preferred to arrive by a disguised entry at the back of the church as she headed in to pay her respects.

Kimberley arrived in a black car as she stepped out at the front of the church. She wore a long black blazer with matching trousers and kept her sunglasses on. The singer, who turned 43 today, was there to support Cheryl alongside Nicola. At one point, Nicola consoled Kimberley as she rubbed her back while standing outside the service.

Speaking after Liam's tragic death, Cheryl said she will "make sure" their son Bear knows all about his late father. Cheryl, who was in a high-profile relationship with Liam between 2016 and 2018, said in a statement on Instagram that their son has to “face the reality of never seeing his father again”.

Sharing a black and white picture of Liam in bed with his son, Cheryl said: “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. 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."

A post-mortem examination report said former One Direction member Payne died of multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage” after falling from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. Police officers and the emergency services found the music star dead at the scene last week and his body was transferred to the judicial morgue.

Liam's devastated father Geoff flew to Argentina to bring his son's body back to the UK a fortnight ago. The late singer's girlfriend Kate Cassidy attended the funeral earlier today and was supported by Damien Hurley. She said she has “lost the best part of myself” following the singer’s death.

In her statement, Kate shared: “Liam, you had the kindest soul and the most fun-loving spirit. It feels like I’ve lost the best part of myself. I can’t imagine a day without your laughter and love. You brought so much light into my life.” Kate said the pair had sat “manifesting our lives together” a few weeks before Liam's death and revealed she had a note from the singer, which she has kept “close”. According to her, it said: "Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged & together forever 444."

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