The last reunion of One Direction stars before Liam's funeral was also overshadowed by deep tragedy

The One Direction bandmates reunited for the first time in nearly ten years on Wednesday, to attend the funeral of one of their own.

The last time they came together, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Liam Payne supported Louis as he performed just days after the death of his mother - under more "absolutely tragic" circumstances.

Despite the heartbreaking loss of his mother, Johannah Deakin, 43, to cancer, a courageous Louis performed his solo single Just Hold On on The X-Factor stage in December 2016, reports the Mirror.

His loyal former bandmates gathered at the studios in northwest London to support him.

Wednesday's funeral, held at St Mary's Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, carried a similarly somber tone.

An insider said: "It is absolutely tragic that the band had to come back together at a funeral for one of their own. They were once so close, but like in any group, fallouts happen, people change and there are often thousands of miles between them. But they all wanted to be there for their old friend.

"They have been devastated by Liam's death. They were like brothers for their most formative years and shared so much history together. But coming face to face at such a tragic event must have been very difficult indeed."

Johannah, a dedicated charity worker and midwife, had leukemia and passed away just days before Louis, then 24, was set to perform live on The X-Factor. Hours before the show, he tweeted to confirm he would go on stage to sing, receiving immense support from fans and his former bandmates.

Johannah had previously shared with her local paper, The Doncaster Star, that Louis' global fame and success in the pop world made it incredibly difficult to buy him Christmas presents.

In Christmas 2013, she said: "We usually all get each other jokey presents rather then spending a lot... The best present he got me was a Mulberry handbag, the Christmas before last, which I absolutely love."

Johannah left behind her husband, Dan Deakin, and her seven children, with Louis being the eldest. Louis joined his 1D bandmates and other mourners at the private funeral in Buckinghamshire to honor Liam, who passed away at the age of 31 in Argentina last month.

Girls Aloud star Cheryl, who shares a 7-year-old son with Liam, was spotted leaving the service at St Mary's Church in Amersham, dressed in a black coat and black sunglasses.

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Harry Styles, wearing Gucci sunglasses, arrived with actor James Corden, a long-time friend of Liam and the rest of One Direction. They were among the first to arrive in a blacked-out limo and entered the church together.

Niall arrived separately with his girlfriend, Amelia Woolley, while Zayn and Louis, who were thought to be closest to Liam, were spotted chatting.

After the ceremony, Harry and James left together, without any of the other One Direction members. Zayn, who had rearranged a gig originally scheduled for Wednesday night in Edinburgh, was also seen leaving alone.

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