Cheryl joins Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates at the funeral for the tragic star, who is laid to rest today

On November 20, 2024By Littum

Liam Payne’s ex Cheryl will attend his funeral today – and all four of his former One Direction bandmates are expected to join them.

Payne died aged 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.

Nicola Robert’s, a member of the Girl’s Aloud pop group, was among the first mourners to arrive. She was greeted with a kiss by Simon Jones, the former One Direction PR man who now performs for Cheryl Tweedy.

Kimberley Walsh, 43, and Damian Hurley, 22, were also among those seen walking through the churchyard towards the main entrance.

Harry Styles, 30, Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, are all expected to be in attendance for what is believed to be their first public meeting as a group since their last concert in 2015.

A church source said a choir and musicians will perform at the service, which is set to begin at 6 p.m. One of the flower displays features bowling pins and a ball – a nod to his love of bowling, which Ms Cassidy said he did four times a week.

Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, arrives at the church for the singer’s funeral today with Damian Hurley, 22

Singer Nicola Roberts, 39, hugs a fellow mourner before the funeral this afternoon

Kimberley Walsh, 43, was among the first celebrities to arrive outside the church

Damian Hurley waits outside with mourners before Payne’s funeral

Cheryl Cole will attend the One Direction star’s funeral today. She was seen earlier this year

One of the floral displays features bowling pins and a ball – a nod to his love of bowling, which Ms Cassidy said he did four times a week

Payne, pictured in Dubai last year, died aged 31 on October 16 after falling from the third floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires

The location of the funeral has been a closely guarded secret and local residents only realized it was taking place when ‘no parking’ signs were erected around the church.

Two traffic officers patrolled the area and handed out tickets to any motorists who ignored the signs.

Payne traveled to Argentina in September where he saw former bandmate Niall Horan perform and also saw his close friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores. He had extended his stay to renew his visa to live in the United States when the tragedy occurred.

The entrance to the church hosting the service has been decorated with candle lanterns and white roses arranged in surrounding shrubbery.

A source said 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 will be an incredibly difficult day.’

In a joint statement released after Payne’s death, Tomlinson, Malik, Horan and Styles said they were ‘completely devastated’.

“In time and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” they said.

‘But for now we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother who we loved dearly.

‘The memories we shared with him will be cherished forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the fans who loved him with us.

‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.’

Tomlinson, Styles and Malik all later released separate tributes.

Styles wrote on Instagram that he was ‘truly devastated’ and will ‘always miss him’.

‘His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honor to be with him as he did that.

Flower arrangers outside the entrance to the church where his funeral will take place

Flowers are being prepared at the church in the Home Counties ahead of Payne’s funeral

Aerial view of the hotel where Payne died in Buenos Aires

Payne rose to fame with the band One Direction. He is pictured with his bandmates in 2013

‘Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had a life energy that was contagious.

‘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 always miss him, my lovely friend.

‘My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear and all those around the world who knew him and loved him as I did.’

In a separate emotional tribute, Tomlinson said he ‘really struggled with the idea of saying goodbye’.

In a statement signed ‘Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry’, Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates said they were ‘absolutely devastated’

Louis Tomlinson said he ‘really struggled with the idea of saying goodbye’ in a separate tribute to Payne

Zayn Malik Said He Had Spoken Loudly To Payne ‘Hope You Can Hear Me’

Harry Styles wrote on Instagram that he was ‘truly heartbroken’ and will ‘always miss him’

He posted a photo on his Instagram page of the two of them on stage with Payne affectionately putting his arm over Tomlinson’s shoulder.

Tomlinson said he would be an uncle to Payne’s son Bear if he ‘ever needs me’ and ‘tell him stories about how great his dad was’.

“I’m so thankful we got even closer since the band talking 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,” he wrote. .

‘I would have loved to share the stage with you again, but it was not to be.

‘I wish I had a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.

Payne had been on holiday in South America with girlfriend Kate Cassidy (left)

Tributes and flowers are placed outside St. Peter’s Collegiate Church to commemorate former One Direction singer Liam Payne in Wolverhampton

One Direction fans gather to pay tribute to Liam Payne at the Monument of the Revolution in Mexico City on October 17

‘Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X’.

Malik said he had spoken loudly to Payne ‘hoping you can hear me’.

In his own heartbreaking tribute, he said he had ‘lost a brother when you left us’.

“And I can’t explain to you what I would give to just hug you one last time and say goodbye properly and tell you that I loved and respected you so much,” he wrote.

‘I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. There are no words to justify or explain how I feel right now, other than absolutely devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now, you are well and at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro.’