Liam Payne’s ex Cheryl and son Bear, seven, will attend his funeral today, and his four former One Direction bandmates are expected to join them.
Payne died at age 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.
The funeral, which will be held in the Home Counties, will be attended by Payne’s family and close friends, with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy reportedly also attending.
Harry Styles, 30, Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, are expected to be present at what is believed to be their first public meeting as a group since their last concert in 2015.
A church source said a choir and musicians will perform at the service, which begins at 1 p.m. One of the flower displays features bowling and a ball, a nod to her love of bowling, something Cassidy said she practiced. four times a week.
Cheryl Cole and Bear, the son she shared with Liam Payne, 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.
One of the floral displays features bowling pins and a ball, a nod to her love of bowling, something Cassidy said she practiced four times a week.
Flowers are being prepared at Home Counties Church ahead of Payne’s funeral.
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.
Flower arrangements outside the entrance to the church where his funeral takes place.
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.
Payne had been on holiday in South America with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy (left)
Tributes and flowers are laid outside St Peter’s Collegiate Church to remember former One Direction singer Liam Payne in Wolverhampton.
One Direction fans gather to pay tribute to Liam Payne, at the Monument to the Revolution, in Mexico City on October 17
‘Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. May you sleep well X’.
Malik said he had been talking loudly to Payne “hoping you could hear me.”
In his heartbreaking tribute, he said he had “lost a brother when you left us.”
“And I can’t explain to you what I would give to give you one last hug, say goodbye properly and tell you that I loved and respected you very much,” he wrote.
‘I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever. There are no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are now you are well and at peace and know how loved you are. I love you brother.’