Liam Payne was privately laid to rest yesterday, a month following his tragic passing at the tender age of 31.
Although the funeral wasn’t open to the public, images surfaced from outside St Mary’s Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, where the service took place.
Liam’s family and his One Direction bandmates – Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan – were all present.
His ex-partner Cheryl, who was comforted by Girls Aloud members Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, also attended with her and Liam’s seven-year-old son Bear, as did Kate Cassidy, Liam’s girlfriend at the time of his death.
Other notable attendees included X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell, Gavin and Stacey star James Corden, JLS singer Marvin Humes and his wife Rochelle, broadcaster Adrian Chiles and footballer Robbie Keane.
Here’s what we know about Liam’s private funeral service, from Cheryl’s heart-wrenching decision on whether to bring son Bear to Kate Cassidy likely meeting Liam’s parents for the first time.
Cheryl’s central role
It is believed that Cheryl played a significant role in planning the funeral alongside Liam’s grieving parents, Geoff and Karen Payne. Despite expectations that the service would be held in his hometown of Wolverhampton, it actually took place at St Mary’s Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.
Liam’s family were determined to give him a dignified and “perfect” farewell after his tragic passing in “such a horrible way”. The funeral service was filled with personal touches that celebrated Liam’s life, including candles and floral tributes, reports the Mirror.
One particularly poignant tribute came from Liam’s son Bear, with a card that simply read ‘Daddy’. In a nod to one of Liam’s passions, there was also a unique floral arrangement depicting bowling pins and a ball – a reference to the singer’s fondness for bowling, having spent his 31st birthday enjoying the activity with his loved ones on August 29, just weeks before his untimely death.
Kate meeting Karen and Geoff
Kate Cassidy, who was Liam’s girlfriend at the time of his death, attended the ceremony, which likely marked the first time she met his parents. The couple had been dating since October 2022.
Kate arrived at the funeral with Damian Hurley, Elizabeth Hurley’s son, who was believed to be her friend prior to her relationship with Liam. It’s reported that Kate, who was with Liam in Buenos Aires, flew back home four days before he passed away following an ultimatum she gave him: ‘it’s me or the drugs’.
Kate shared with her followers that she and Liam had intended to tie the knot. She revealed on social media a note from Liam which read: ‘Me and Kate to marry within a year/engaged and together forever 444’ – a number often associated with love and support.
Describing him as the ‘love of my life’, she expressed on social media: “Liam, I know we’ll be together forever, but not in the way that we planned. You’ll always be with me. I’ve gained a guardian angel. I will love you for the rest of my life and beyond, carrying our dreams and memories with me wherever I go. Forever yours, Katelyn, 444.”
Heartbreaking vow to Bear
In a poignant decision, devastated Cheryl chose to involve her and Liam’s seven year old son Bear in his father’s funeral. Despite her concerns about whether it was the right choice, she ultimately felt it was important for Bear to have the chance to bid farewell to his dad alongside family and friends.
A close source told MailOnline that Cheryl made a solemn promise to ensure their son will always remember his father.
A source close to Cheryl revealed the depth of her agony, sharing: “She [Cheryl] has her own grief, but she also has a little boy who won’t see his daddy again, and that is just heartbreaking. While she and Liam split a long time ago, they were bonded over their love of Bear. Liam died in such a horrible way but the family wanted to remember him in the most perfect way possible.”
Cheryl honoured Liam in an emotional Instagram post, expressing her devastation: “As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.”
She continued: “Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”
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