Liam Payne is being laid to rest today, and many prominent figures and celebrities are joining to pay their respects.
Fans were shocked by news of the singers death on October 16, after he fell from a third-story balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Payne, who was 31, sustained traumatic head and body injuries that proved fatal at the scene.
Three individuals have been charged in connection with Payne's death: a close associate, a hotel employee and a suspected drug dealer. The charges include abandonment of a person followed by death and supplying narcotics, as Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of his fatal fall.
Payne's casket arrived at the St Mary's Church in Amersham in Buckinghamshire, England, via a horse-drawn hearse. Undertakers carried a dark blue casket with silver handles. The casket was topped with white roses.
Close friends to Payne as well as his former One Direction bandmates – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson – are in attendance today. Others in attendance included his parents, two sisters and his seven-year-old son, Bear, with his mother, Girls Aloud singer Cheryl. TV presenter and actor James Corden and Simon Cowell, who created the X Factor show where One Direction was discovered, were also present.
Harry Styles
The members of One Direction released both joint and individual statements following Payne's death. The joint statement shared how they are "completely devastated by the news of Laim's passing" and how they will "grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly."
Styles, like the rest of the One Direction band members, met Payne when the X Factor judges made a decision to join them together into a boy band.
One Direction topped the charts together from 2011 to 2015. Throughout the time, Styles and Payne shared sweet moments like when Styles broke mid-performance to tie Payne's shoe. At the X Factor UK Final in December of 2015, Payne gave Styles a kiss on the cheek.
In 2016, Payne said in an interview with the UK's The Sun that he "bumped into" Styles while in New York and that Styles was "really happy to see me."
In 2019, Payne had expressed interest in collaborating musically with Styles. They performed at the CaptialFM Jingle Bell Ball in December together. That same year, he told Face Magazine that he'd want to "walk down memory lane" with Styles "more than anyone."
Style's full individual statement was:
"I am truly devastated by Liam's passing.
His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was honour to be alongside him as he did it.
Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.
-Harry."
Niall Horan
Two weeks before Payne's death, Horan and he reconnected in Argenta. Horan was performing on tour. Payne had said in a Snapchat video on October 1 that he thought "we might just go and say hello."
"It's been a while since me and Niall have spoken. We've got a lot to talk about. And I would like to square up a couple of things with the boy. No bad vibes or anything like that," Payne had said in the video.
Horan's full statement was:
"I'm absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn't feel real.
Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime.
I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn't know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking.
My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.
Thank you for everything, Payno.
Love you brother.
Nialler."
Zayn Malik
In 2010, while One Direction was still active, Malik said he was closet to Payne. Malik announced he was leaving the band in 2015, but Payne initially showed support. Malik told NME magazine in 2016 that he still was "probably the closest to Liam."
In 2017, however, at the Glamour Awards, Payne seemingly threw a snide comment about Malik, saying "1D never had a slogan, but if we had, Zayn might have stayed." Payne also did not mention Malik on a post about One Direction a year later.
Mailk's full statement was:
"Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives. I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.
Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no fucks about telling people when they were wrong. Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it. When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.
I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.
I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever,
there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and know how loved you are.
Love you bro."
Louis Tomlinson
Tomlinson told US Magazine that he and Payne "hated" each other at the beginning of One Direction's formation. The two recounted that in other interviews following the band's break up.
In 2016, when Tomlinson's mother died from leukemia, Payne posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, that his "heart aches for you. Just know I love you the same from a million miles away as I do right next to you."
Tomilson posted a series of Instagram stories about Payne. He captioned a photo of the two of them smiling saying "this picture summed up our relationship. I love you, I'll always be your big brother x."
Tomlison's full statement was:
"I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.
I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I'd longed all my life for.
Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.
And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.
A message to you Liam if you're listening,
I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I'm really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I'm so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I'd have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn't to be.
I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.
Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X."
Cheryl Cole and Bear
Payne's 7-year-old son Bear is with his ex Cheryl Cole. The two were seen at Payne's funeral in England on Wednesday.
Payne and Cole, who is known for being a part of Girls Aloud, dated for more than two years before splitting in 2018.
Cole was a judge of the UK version of the X Factor starting in 2008. She had judged Payne and the other members of One Direction. The two started dating in 2014.
Bear was born in 2017. Payne had told PEOPLE that he "always wanted to be a young dad." After the split with Cole, Payne focused a lot of his time with Bear, seeing him two to three times a week, as he said in 2022.
In 2018, Cole told Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware that she and Payne agreed to keep their son out of the spot light.
Kate Cassidy
Cassidy attended her late boyfriend's funeral. The two started dating in 2022. They briefly broke up in May 2023, but reunited later. Cassidy is based in London and spends a lot of her time traveling. She is an influencer, with more than 832,000 Instagram followers.
She was with Payne in the days leading up to his death. The couple had seen Payne's former bandmate, Horan, perform.
She had said she was "so ready to leave" Argentina because she hates "staying in one place for too long and we were supposed to be there for five days, turned into two weeks and I was just like 'I need to go home.'"
Geoff and Karen Payne
Payne's father Geoff had brought his son's body back to the UK two weeks ago. He flew to Argentina after the tragedy.
An insider told The Sun: "His family have gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the send off he deserves. Liam may have been a global superstar but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy. It is going to be an incredibly difficult day."
Payne's family had paid tribute to him in a statement following his death:
"We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."
James Corden
Corden and Payne were good friends. Payne and his One Direction band appeared on the TV star's show multiple times.
Simon Cowell
Cowell brought together Payne, Styles, Tomlinson, Malik and Horan to form One Direction in 2010. He told Rolling Stones that he "didn't want to lose" the boys if they were not put together. Cowell also noted a "gap in the market for a group like them at that particular moment."
Cowell said he was "heartbroken" and "devastated" after learning about Payne's death.
"I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together. I wanted to let you know what I would always say to the thousands of people who would always ask me. What is Liam like?" he shared. "And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans."
Cowell talked about seeing Payne last year "just to sit and talk" and how Payne said how "proud you were to be a Dad" as well as how the two "reminisced about all the fun times we had together"
Robbie Keane
The ex-soccer player Keane showed his support for Payne. Keane was a part of the Soccer Aid game with Payne last year, where the singer played in charity match as well.
Adrian Chiles
Broadcaster Chiles was one of Payne's less publicized friendships. He was at the funeral Wednesday as well.
Scott Mills
Mills and his husband were at the funeral Wednesday. BBC radio presenter Mills spoke after Payne's death about his memories of Payne and One Direction.
English (US) ·