One Direction stars join mourners at Payne’s funeral
One Direction's Harry Styles and former partner Cheryl Tweedy were among the mourners at Liam Payne's funeral. Photo: AAP/TND
Former bandmates and stars have been among mourners who gathered at a 12th-century English church for the funeral of One Direction’s Liam Payne.
The 31-year-old singer’s coffin arrived at St Mary’s church, Buckinghamshire, in a white carriage drawn by two white horses.
It was adorned with floral tributes spelling the words “Son” and “Daddy”.
Payne’s former partner, singer Cheryl Tweedy, with whom he had a son now aged seven, was at the service and followed the coffin being carried by four pallbearers after the service.
One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson joined Payne’s family and friends and Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
Liam Payne’s casket in a white horse-drawn carriage. Photo: AAP
Payne was found dead after he fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, triggering an outpouring of grief from fans around the world.
Payne and his former bandmates were catapulted to global fame in the 2010s after Simon Cowell brought them together on British TV’s The X Factor talent show.
The group went on to become one of the best selling boy bands of all time.
Cowell was photographed arriving at the funeral.
Pallbearers carry the coffin from St Mary’s church. Photo: AAP
With their tousled hair and youthful charm, the band members became teen idols through hit singles like What Makes You Beautiful, Live While We’re Young, Best Song Ever and Story of My Life.
Argentine authorities have charged three people in connection with Payne’s death after an autopsy revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he died.