Simon Cowell arrived at the funeral of One Direction star Liam Payne, a month after the singer’s tragic death in Argentina.
Payne died at age 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.
Following Payne’s death, Cowell posted a touching tribute to the singer, describing him as a “kind, funny and talented” pop star who “never forgot the fans.”
The music mogul met Payne when he auditioned for the X Factor for the first time at the age of 14.
Harry Styles has also arrived at the funeral alongside his One Direction bandmates and a host of other stars.
Styles 30, Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, were also seen entering the church for what is their first public meeting as a group since their last concert in 2015.
Also at the service will be the likes of new Radio 2 Breakfast DJ Scott Mills, James Corden and Marvin and Rochelle Humes.
They passed floral displays featuring bowling pins and a ball, a nod to Payne’s love of bowling, which Cassidy said he practiced four times a week.
Simon Cowell arrives at One Direction star Liam Payne’s funeral
Cowell arrived at the funeral with his wife Laura Silverman.
Simon Cowell was the music mogul behind Liam Payne’s boy band One Direction (pictured together)
harry styles
Luis Tomlinson
Niall Horan
zayn malik
Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, 25, arrives at the church today for the singer’s funeral alongside Damian Hurley, 22.
Kimberley Walsh, 43, was one of the first celebrities to arrive outside the church.
Singer Nicola Roberts, 39, hugs a fellow mourner before the funeral this afternoon.
Scott Mills, who was yesterday revealed as the new presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, walks past a flower display showing skittles and a ball. This is a nod to Payne’s love of bowling, which Cassidy said he practiced four times a week.
Cheryl Cole will attend the One Direction star’s funeral today. She has been seen earlier this year.
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.
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The location of the funeral has been a closely guarded secret, with local residents only realizing it was taking place when “no parking” signs were posted around the church.
Two traffic officers patrolled the area handing out fines to drivers who ignored the signs.
Payne traveled to Argentina in September where he saw his 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 lanterns with candles and white roses arranged among the surrounding bushes.
A source said the sun: ‘His family has done everything possible to offer the perfect service and give him the farewell he deserves.
“Liam may have been a global superstar, but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy. It’s going to 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 can do it, 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, whom we love dearly.
‘The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. 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: Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”
Tomlinson, Styles and Malik later posted 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 while he did it.
James Corden
Marvin and Rochelle Humes
Adrian Chiles
Robbie Keane
Damian Hurley waits outside with mourners before Payne’s funeral
Flower arrangements outside the entrance to the church where his funeral takes place.
Flowers are being prepared at Home Counties Church 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 completely open, with his heart in his hand, he had an energy for life that was contagious.
‘He was warm, understanding and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will always be among the most precious years of my life. I will always miss you, my dear friend.
“My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear and all those around the world who knew and loved him, like me.”
Tomlinson said in an emotional tribute that he was “really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye”.
In a statement signed “Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry”, Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates said they were “completely devastated”.
Louis Tomlinson said he was “really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye” in a separate tribute to Payne.
Zayn Malik said he had been talking out loud to Payne ‘hoping you could hear me’
Harry Styles wrote on Instagram that he was “truly devastated” and “will always miss him.”
He posted a photo on his Instagram page of the two on stage with Payne lovingly putting his arm on Tomlinson’s shoulder.
Tomlinson said he would be an uncle to Payne’s son, Bear, if he “ever needed me” and “I would tell him stories about how wonderful his father was.”
“I’m so grateful that we’ve gotten even closer since we formed the band, talking on the phone for hours, remembering the thousands of incredible 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 didn’t happen that way.
‘I wish I had the chance to say goodbye and tell you once again how much I loved you.