The touching final act of kindness for Liam Payne from his fans was revealed at the star’s heartbreaking funeral on Wednesday.
The One Direction star, who died last month at the age of just 31, was laid to rest on Wednesday in the Home Counties, with former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik among the mourners.
The Mirror joined mourners and bystanders outside the church midweek, with crowds around the church’s grounds surprisingly small considering Liam’s global superstardom - and it was soon suggested fans intentionally decided to stay away to respect the wishes of Liam’s family.
Huddled outside the church in the freezing weather, one bystander - a local resident - noted: “[It’s] amazing there are no fans. They’ve really observed [Liam’s family’s] wishes.”
On Wednesday, Liam's heartbroken girlfriend Kate Cassidy, was also in attendance at the private service, as was Girls Aloud icon Cheryl, the mother of his seven-year-old son Bear and the late singer’s beloved parents.
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Getty Images)Although particulars of the service have been kept private, some details have since emerged. Harry, 30, was the first of the four former One Directioners to arrive, entering the church alongside actor James Corden, who he'd travelled with to the church.
Then, Niall, 31, arrived with his girlfriend Amelia Woolley. Zayn, 31, and Louis, 32, thought to have remained the closest to Liam in the years after One Direction's indefinite hiatus, were seen having a conversation.
Harry left the service with Gavin & Stacey star James, while Zayn was spotted leaving on his own. Niall left with Amelia, holding an order of service.
It's believed Cheryl, 41, helped to plan the ceremony alongside Liam's grieving parents, Geoff and Karen. The former X Factor judge has reportedly also vowed to make sure young Bear never forgets his famous father.
Other big names who turned out to pay their final respects included X Factor and Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell, Gavin and Stacey star James Corden, JLS singer Marvin Humes and his wife Rochelle, broadcaster Adrian Chiles and footballer Robbie Keane.
Though the location of the service was widely expected to be in his hometown of Wolverhampton, it was actually held at St Mary's Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
This was an important place to Liam as it was where he, Cheryl and Bear lived. Following their split, Liam even bought a house near Cheryl's in the village of Chalfont Saint Giles so he could be close to his son.
The service included special touches to honour Liam's memory, alongside candles and flower tributes - like the one from Liam's son Bear which simply read 'Daddy'.
Liam's send-off yesterday was also attended by his girlfriend at the time of his death, Kate Cassidy.
It marked what is likely the first time the 25-year-old had met his parents, despite the pair having dated since October 2022. She arrived at the funeral accompanied by Elizabeth Hurley's son, Damian, who she is thought to have been friends with before she met Liam.
Kate was in Buenos Aires with Liam, but flew home four days before he died after apparently giving him an ultimatum, 'it's me or the drugs'.
Afterwards, Kate revealed they had planned to marry. She told her social media followers Liam had written her a note, which said: 'Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged and together forever 444' – the so-called angel number, signifying love and support.
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