Liam Payne famous funeral guest defended over outfit choice as anger sparked over jacket

Adrian Chiles attended Liam Payne's funeral in a West Brom jacket, and fans were quick to stick up for his choice after trolls smeared him online

Fans of football, Liam Payne, and Adrian Chiles have united after Adrian, 57, was dragged for his outfit choice at Liam’s funeral on Wednesday.

Liam died at the age of just 31 on the 16th October, after falling from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After weeks of investigations, his father, Geoff, was able to bring his body back to the UK, and he was finally laid to rest in old Amersham. His private funeral included all of those dear to him, including ITV presenter Adrian.

In contrast to most guests’ more traditional looks, Adrian wore a football jacket to the event, with clear Adidas branding and a West Bromwich Albion crest. Some trolls took to social media to slam the former Match of the Day 2 host for his clothing choice, but fans were quick to point out its special link to Liam.

“Bizarre going to a funeral wearing football gear. Shocking,” one person raged on Twitter, before being faced with an influx of support for Adrian and Liam.

“You know exactly what you’re doing here. Trying to hint that this is funny and odd when it’s because Liam was a massive Baggies fan and they used to watch games together. Shame on you,” one person wrote, pointing out Liam’s love of the footie club.

“Liam Payne was a massive West Brom fan, he would have loved Adrian Chile's turning up at his funeral in that club jacket,” a second agreed.

Another person defended: “Even as a Villa fan I can appreciate this. Liam Payne was a massive West Brom fan and Chiles is one of their most high profile supporters. It was also brass monkeys weather today. This tweet is a bit of a low blow.”

After Liam died, Adrian himself opened up about their friendship while speaking on his BBC Radio 5 Live show. He explained: "I got to know him when he first did X Factor. He came up to me and said 'up the Albion' - he was a West Brom fan.

"Just as a sign as to how massive he was, I remember we snuck him into a Boxing Day game and I think his mum and dad came and sat with me. But we managed to secrete our man up in the commentary gantry so he didn't get bothered.

"Then a friend of mine texted me to ask 'why are West Brom trending number one on Twitter?' I went, well it could be because Liam Payne is here and he tweeted he was here and the whole world went mad for it."

Former One Direction member Liam was a season ticket holder at the Hawthorns, and the club shared a moving tribute to him after hearing the news of his passing.

"We're shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Baggies fan and musician, Liam Payne," the club wrote on social media. "Our thoughts are with Liam's family, friends and loved ones at this tragic time."

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