Flowers and photos have been laid at a pier in Somerset, the location where One Direction filmed a music video, following the tragic death of band member Liam Payne.
Devoted fans, known as Directioners, have been flocking to Clevedon Pier since the news broke that 31-year-old Payne passed away on Wednesday, leaving tributes at the spot where the group's video for 'You & I' was shot back in 2014.
Among them was Anna Carmela Rebolos, 28, who expressed her devastation over Payne’s passing and visited the pier with her partner to lay flowers. The Bristol-based nurse shared with PA news agency: "On the way, I was inconsolable as I’ve always felt sad and sorry for Liam. I’ve always wished I could have helped him in any way I could. "
She added: "Unfortunately for us, the pier had closed for the day but the staff member took the flowers and she promised to lay it with the others today." Ms Rebolos, a long-time fan of Payne, even named her younger cousin after the star, whom she first met in person in Manila in 2015.
She said: "Anyone who knows me knows how big a One Direction fan I am, ever since their X Factor days. I was always talking about them and calling them ‘the boys’ as if I personally knew them." She continued: "He was a huge part of my life as I always turned to One Direction for comfort during some of my toughest moments."
Eliza Goadby, 23, also visited the pier, stating: "Because One Direction and Liam Payne were a major part of my life growing up, and my first big love of music". Wiltshire resident Ms Goadby expressed her profound respect to the late Liam Payne, as she recounted: "I wanted to pay my respects to Liam Payne and his memory, and the pier is somewhere that has a strong connection with Liam due to the music video for You & I being filmed there."
Noting the emotional weight of the location, she added, "It felt very emotional being there knowing it was somewhere he’d been, and seeing all the flowers people have left and reading the outpouring of love in the tributes." She admitted feeling "really shocked" upon hearing the news of Payne's passing, initially doubting its truth.
In the wake of Payne's death, the Twitter account for the pier shared a touching post: "We are so sorry to hear about the death of @LiamPayne." Reminiscing about One Direction's visit, they wrote, "Many of our staff and volunteers remember the day that #OneDirection made their award winning You & I video on #ClevedonPier – it was such a pleasure to host them. RIP Liam."
The loss of the cherished One Direction member was deeply felt, with thousands of fans across the UK and globally gathering on Sunday to solemnly celebrate Payne's life at various memorials.
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