Cheryl reportedly eased the tensions among the One Direction members following Liam Payne’s funeral, according to reports.
The mum-of-one, who dated Liam from 2016 to 2018 and shares a son with him, was joined by her Girls Aloud pals Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh at the private ceremony on Wednesday, November 20.
Zayn Malik and the rest of the One Direction crew set aside their past issues to attend the service, marking the first reunion of the bandmates in nearly a decade.
The Girls Aloud singer, 41, is said to have been a significant source of support for Liam’s parents, Geoff and Karen, and sisters, Nicola and Ruth, through the harrowing time, and was also on hand to assist the ex-bandmates on Wednesday, the Mirror reports.
Following the wake, it is understood that Cheryl invited Liam’s family and friends, including the 1D boys, to a round marquee in the garden of Liam’s mansion near Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, where she appears to have helped smooth tensions over with the band members just hours after Liam was buried.
An insider revealed: “Of course, they all wanted to be there, they shared so much with Liam. But that doesn’t mean they are best friends any more. They haven’t worked together for almost ten years – they have grown apart.”
Friends have noted that the group has “drifted apart” over the years, the Daily Mail has reported. Nevertheless, as they gathered under the marquee on Wednesday to commemorate Liam’s life, they raised their glasses in his honour, embracing one another in a warm show of unity, according to reports.
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Affectionately, friends have commented on how father and son shared a unique bond through a pair of life-size dinosaurs – one a muted grey and the other a vibrant green – purchased by Liam online ten years earlier. These memorable decorations were believed to be present within the marquee too, with Cheryl reportedly associating them with hope and cherished recollections.
Louis and Zayn, both close to Liam who hailed from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, have been particularly affected, sources claim. A source told the Mail: “Louis and Zayn were such a support to Liam in the last few years. They are distraught.”
This emotional strain was apparent in a joint statement signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry” the day following Liam’s untimely death on October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The heartfelt message implied that despite recent challenges, there is more to be shared when the time is right.
It read: “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say “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 treasured for ever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
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