Liam Payne funeral RECAP: Celebrity mourners comforted one another after private service for tragic One Direction star 

It's been a sad day for Britain, and the world, as the masses mourned the loss of Liam Payne.

Thank you for joining us as we said our final goodbyes to the One Direction star.

Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh were among the first to arrive at the service today as they rallied around fellow singer Cheryl, who is the mother of Liam Payne's seven-year-old son Bear.

The heartfelt embraces took place just outside the church as mourners gathered to pay their final respects to Payne who died after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina last month.

Rev Jonny Rapson, who led the service, said: 'We will continue to hold Liam, his family and his loved ones in our prayers on what must have been a very difficult day.'

Members of One Direction today reunited for the first time since splitting up to bid an emotional farewell to fellow bandmate Liam Payne.

Ex-bandmates Harry Styles, 30, Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, were seen in public together for the first time in nine years as they paid respects to their 'brother' Liam, who he fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina last month.

The four singers arrived separately at the church earlier today as they joined friends and family of the 31-year-old in a poignant final send off.

Styles, dressed in black, arrived at the funeral in a BMW. Horan attended with his girlfriend Amelia Woolley, while Malik arrived shortly after Tomlinson.

Malik was the first to quit One Direction in August 2015, citing 'stress', after withdrawing from the group's world tour. The band officially announced its split in January 2016, breaking the hearts of millions of fans across the globe.

Read more below:

Liam Payne's friends and family went to great lengths to give the One Direction star the send-off he deserved, integrating special touches in a subtle nod to the singer.

Mourners, including his former bandmates Harry, Louis, Niall and Zayn, gathered at private funeral at St Mary's Church in Amersham today, to remember Payne.

White roses forming the word 'Daddy' were placed next to ones in the shape of a bowling ball knocking over some pins, at the church in Buckinghamshire.

While the pins might have seemed out of place on a sombre day, the piece reflected the 31-year-old's passion for the game.

Liam spent his birthday in August bowling with his family and girlfriend Kate Cassidy just weeks before he fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The late singer took to Snapchat during the celebrations and was full of jokes teasing to his followers that his security guard would be sacked if he beat him again bowling.

Read in full on MailOnline:

A heartbreaking floral tribute from Liam Payne's son Bear has today been seen outside the church where mourners have gathered for the One Direction star's funeral.

White roses forming the word 'Daddy' was placed next to one in the shape of a bowling ball hitting some pins in a touching nod to the 31-year-old's passion for the game.

A horse-drawn carriage carried the dark blue coffin with silver handles and topped with white roses to the service in the Home Counties.

On top of the carriage, there was a red floral tribute which said 'son' and a blue tribute which said 'daddy'.

Some grieving family and friends arrived at the private service with Batman stickers on their windscreens in a subtle nod for his love of the superhero.

It showed the logo of the black bat on a white background.

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A fundraising page for Great Ormond Street Hospital has been set up in Liam's memory.

A message left on the page reads: 'Your donation today will continue Liam’s legacy by helping to build a brand-new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

'This incredible new facility will help give seriously ill children childhoods that are fuller, funner and longer.'

You can donate here

Liam Payne's final charitable act will be to raise vital funds for children with cancer after a fundraiser was listed on the star's funeral order of service.

The One Direction singer, who died last month at the age of 31, is being laid to rest at a church in the Home Counties today.

The funeral, which has been attended by family and friends including Simon Cowell and Liam's former bandmates, is partly in aid of Great Ormond Street's Children's Hospital.

The order of service states that all donations towards the charity will go towards building a new cancer unit on site.

Liam Payne's connection to Adrian Chiles and Robbie Keane has been explained after they made an unlikely appearance at his funeral on Wednesday.

The singer was laid to rest in a private service attended by his family and friends, including his One Direction band members and the mother of his son, Cheryl.

But fans will no doubt have been querying some of the attendees at the service after enjoying less publicised friendships during his career.

The bond that connects all three names is football, due to Liam and Adrian's shared love of West Bromwich Albion and Liam and Robbie's joint Soccer Aid appearance.

Adrian met Liam during his time on the X Factor, where Liam's band One Direction were formed before they shot to stratospheric stardom.

Read the full story here:

Liam Payne's heartbroken girlfriend Kate Cassidy has arrived at the funeral of the tragic One Direction star she described as 'the love of my life'.

Ms Cassidy was seen arriving at St Mary's Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, ahead of this afternoon's ceremony, dressed in a long black coat with fur trim and wearing sunglasses.

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

Ms Cassidy had been with Payne in Argentina before leaving to return to her home in Miami, Florida. She later paid tribute, saying they had planned to marry.

Read the full story on MailOnline:

Simon Cowell embraced Liam Payne's father Geoff and mother Karen as they left their son's funeral this afternoon in emotional scenes following the service.

The singer found fame alongside his One Direction bandmates when Cowell put them together to form the group on ITV talent show The X Factor in 2010.

And Payne's parents comforted the music mogul today as he was accompanied by his partner Lauren Silverman in remembering the star. Read the full story on MailOnline:

Cheryl Tweedy and members of One Direction were among the friends and family to pay their final respects to Liam Payne at his funeral in the Home Counties today.

Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson reunited alongside other mourners at the service to remember Payne following his death aged 31.

Music mogul Simon Cowell was seen embracing Payne's father Geoff and mother Karen as they left the church, after a horse-drawn carriage carried the dark blue coffin with silver handles and topped with white roses to the service.

Other guests attending include James Corden and Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who arrived alongside Damian Hurley, the son of model Elizabeth Hurley.

Girls Aloud singers Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, who wore long black coats and sunglasses, also supported their bandmate Cheryl by attending the service.

The funeral began at 1pm and lasted for 45 minutes. Payne died on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Girls Aloud singer Cheryl has bid an emotional final goodbye to Liam Payne as he was laid to rest in a private service. Read the full story on MailOnline here:

One Direction singer Harry Styles has also now been photographed outside the church after the service, wearing dark sunglasses along with James Corden:

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman have been photographed speaking to the rector after the funeral service for Liam Payne today:

Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts has now been seen outside the church following the funeral service for Liam Payne:

Payne’s parents walked behind the coffin as it was carried to a waiting hearse after the 45-minute funeral service.

They were comforted by Simon Cowell who hugged the pair before they got into a waiting limo.

Cowell also shook hands with the rector who had conducted the service, while Cheryl walked alongside one of Payne’s sisters behind the coffin.

We've just seen the first photographs today of Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, who was in a relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018, outside the church.

Family and friends of Liam Payne gathered to remember the singer at his funeral today. Read this story on MailOnline for the full list of who attended:

The white horse-drawn carriage has been driven away and there is now a black Jaguar hearse parked in front of the church.

The floral tributes which said 'daddy' and 'son' have been set up inside the vehicle.

A man carries a 'Daddy' floral tribute for Liam Payne outside the church today:

James Corden looked sombre as he arrived for his friend Liam Payne's funeral this afternoon.

The actor and presenter was among many stars who came to show their support as Payne was laid to rest. Read the full story on MailOnline here:

This video shows the moment a horse-drawn carriage arrived at the church carrying a dark blue coffin with silver handles, topped with white roses.

Members of One Direction were reunited alongside music mogul Simon Cowell as they attended the funeral of bandmate Liam Payne.

Singers Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson joined other guests at the private funeral to remember Payne following his death last month.

The last time the band were known to be publicly together was nearly ten years ago on March 18, 2015 as part of their On The Road Again tour.

Music mogul Simon Cowell arrived at the church to attend Liam Payne's funeral and went straight inside along with his partner Lauren Silverman. Read the full story on MailOnline:

We're seeing more photos now of pallbearers carrying the coffin of Liam Payne into his funeral.

The dark blue coffin was carried by undertakers from the front of the church through the churchyard, and inside the building via the side door.

Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy was among the first to arrive at the church today.

Wrapped up against the cold in a long black coat with fur trim, she made her way into the building with Damian Hurley.

Cassidy had been with Payne in Argentina before leaving to return to her home in Miami, Florida. Read MailOnline’s full story here:

Liam Payne's coffin has now been taken into the church as the funeral begins:

Liam Payne’s parents Geoff and Karen were greeted by the reverend as they arrived and stood with the pall bearers waiting to convey the white rose bedecked coffin to the church.

Two horses with white plumes stood while the coffin was gently unloaded by the pall bearers.

Just after 1pm, the rector of the church came to the side door as the coffin arrived for the service.

A horse-drawn white carriage with wreaths showing 'Daddy' in blue and 'Son' in red were on either side of the hearse.

Simon Cowell has now arrived at the church along with partner Lauren Silverman:

Nearby roads were closed off for the fleet of Mercedes people carriers with blacked-out windows to be able to park outside the church and allow the mourners to get out.

A private security team was hired to ensure the event went off without a hitch, but no crowds of 1D fans were evident.

Local residents watching the cortege said they were moved by the event. ‘It’s very sad,’ said one man in his 60s.

Scott Mills, who was yesterday announced as the new host of BBC Radio 2's breakfast show from January, has also arrived at the church:

Mills, who spent a lot of time with One Direction in the early days of their career, wore a black long coat over dark trousers for the service.

Capital radio DJs Chris Stark (left), Jordan North (centre) and Sian Welby (right) have arrived together at the funeral of Liam Payne:

Former One Direction band member Niall Horan has also now arrived for the funeral service.

Horan and his girlfriend Amelia Woolley were dropped off by a black Range Rover.

All four bandmates have now arrived at the church.

Louis Tomlinson, another of Payne's former One Direction bandmate, is now at the church:

Another former One Direction bandmate, Zayn Malik, has now arrived.

Adrian Chiles has arrived at the church - wearing his customary West Bromwich Albion jacket.

Payne was a Baggies fan, and Chiles previously said he got to known him when he first did X Factor.

Also in attendance is former footballer Robbie Keane, who played football together at Soccer Aid in 2022.

Gavin and Stacey star James Corden, who previously paid tribute to 'kind soul' Liam Payne, has arrived at the church this afternoon.

Corden arrived with Payne at the church in a BMW and they are dressed in black.

Liam Payne's former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles has now arrived:

JLS star Marvin Humes and his wife, The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes, have arrived at Liam Payne's funeral.

Boy band JLS met Payne when he first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 and they continued to be friends throughout his career in One Direction.

Marvin wore a long back coat, black trousers and black gloves while Rochelle also donned a long coat with cape detailing for the service.

Liam Payne's friend and singer Jamie Scott has now arrived for the funeral.

Scott was a long-term friend and collaborator of Payne and described them as 'brothers' in a tribute released last month.

Fans from across the globe have continued to hold vigils in memory of Payne following his death last month.

Here are some floral tributes at a memorial in West Park in his hometown of Wolverhampton, pictured today:

Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy has been photographed arriving at the church, dressed in black and wearing sunglasses.

She was accompanied by Damian Hurley, the model and son of Elizabeth Hurley.

Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh will also be supporting her bandmate Cheryl at the funeral today - here are some more photos are her arriving:

Nicola Roberts, a member of Girls Aloud, was among the first mourners to arrive.

She was greeted with a kiss by Simon Jones, the former PR for One Direction who now acts for Cheryl.

Other mourners greeted her as they stood at the entrance to the church waiting for the doors to open.

Girls Aloud singers Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh have now arrived at the church, ahead of the funeral.

Payne was in a relationship with their bandmate Cheryl, from 2016 until 2018.

A moving floral display of bowling pins and a ball has now been set up outside the church ahead of Liam Payne's funeral - reflecting the late singer's love of bowling.

It comes after he spent his final birthday 'doing what he loved' with a bowling trip alongside his parents and girlfriend Kate Cassidy just weeks before his death.

Security guards have been photographed standing in the doorway of the church this morning ahead of the funeral for Liam Payne:

Among the first arrivals at the church in the Home Counties this morning was Simon Jones, who worked closely with Payne amid his rise to fame.

Mr Jones is the co-founder of Hackford Jones (HJPR), the PR agency behind One Direction which he set up in 2003 before it was closed in 2016.

A series of vehicles continued to arrive at the front and back entrances to Liam Payne’s six-bedroom property throughout this morning.

They included a delivery by upmarket florist Flowers by Passion. Mercedes people carriers with blacked out windows also arrived as teams of security guards stood by.

A church source told MailOnline that a choir and musicians will perform at the service which is expected to begin at 1pm.

Half a dozen members of a private security team began taking up positions in the grounds of the church while a lone guard all in black stood in the entrance.

Contractors have erected a white gazebo at the entrance to the church in the Home Counties where mourners are expected to enter for the funeral later.

Metal barriers were placed across the road from the church and the gazebo to accommodate the dozens of media covering the service.

Two women swept leaves from around a side entrance where floral displays six candles in glass holders had been placed, as temperatures hovered above freezing.

Local residents only realised Payne’s funeral was taking place when ‘no parking’ signs were erected outside, with two traffic enforcement officers patrolling the area.

Liam Payne’s heartbroken family were making last minute arrangements this morning as they prepared to pay an emotional farewell to the singer.

Shortly after 10am a large white van arrived at the One Direction star’s six-bedroom property which he bought for £3.25million in November 2021.

A woman in a long black coat and a security guard stood by before 8ft electric iron gates were opened at the house to allow the 7.5-tonne vehicle access.

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

He died of multiple traumas and 'internal and external haemorrhage', a post-mortem examination report said.

An investigation has been launched into his death by prosecutors, and three people have been charged in connection with the incident.

Payne's heartbroken father Geoff brought his remains back to Britain two weeks ago, after extensive examinations from the Argentinian authorities into his death.

Payne rose to fame alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan when Simon Cowell put them together to form One Direction on ITV talent show The X Factor in 2010.

He had first auditioned in 2008 when he was 14, singing Frank Sinatra's Fly Me To The Moon, with judge Cowell telling him to return to the talent show two years later.

In 2010 he impressed the judges with a rendition of Michael Buble's version of Cry Me A River before being put with four other solo hopefuls at the boot camp stage of the competition - the group which later became One Direction.

Payne, who was born in Wolverhampton, went on to launch a successful solo career, releasing his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019, which included the songs Polaroid and Strip That Down featuring Quavo.

The entrance of the church which is hosting the service has been decorated with candle lanterns and white roses that have been arranged in surrounding shrubbery:

Ahead of Liam Payne's funeral taking place today, beautiful flowers were arranged outside the entrance to the church where the service is being held as final preparations were completed. Read the full story on MailOnline:

The funeral of One Direction singer Liam Payne will be held today, with his former bandmates expected to be among the guests attending.

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

The funeral, being held in the Home Counties, will also be attended by Payne's family and friends, with girlfriend Kate Cassidy also expected to be there.

Stay with us throughout today for all the latest updates.