Liam Payne’s parents Geoff and Karen hugged a heartbroken Simon Cowell as he sought to comfort them after their son’s funeral today.
The heartfelt hug took place outside the church where Payne was remembered in an emotional service following his tragic death at the age of just 31.
Cowell’s girlfriend, Lauren Silverman, stood at a distance as the 65-year-old shared a private moment with the grieving couple, who paid a final tribute to the beloved singer with a floral tribute next to his coffin with the word “son” . .
Payne found fame alongside his One Direction bandmates when Cowell brought them together to form the group on ITV talent show The X Factor in 2010.
Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson were also present at today’s service alongside Girls Aloud star Cheryl Tweedy, who was in a relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018.
Simon Cowell is comforted by Liam Payne’s father Geoff Payne (left) after the funeral today.
Cheryl leaves the church today after the funeral of her ex-partner Liam Payne.
Louis Tomlinson leaves the church with an order of service after today’s funeral.
Liam Payne’s father Geoff and mother Karen arrive at their son’s funeral today.
Liam Payne’s father, Geoff, and mother, Karen, stand outside the church before today’s funeral.
Liam Payne’s father Geoff stands outside the church ahead of his son’s funeral today.
Liam Payne’s coffin is carried into the church as his father Geoff and mother Karen look on.
Simon Cowell arrives at church today accompanied by his partner Lauren Silverman
Simon Cowell (centre) and Lauren Silverman (right) after the service
A horse-drawn carriage carried the dark blue coffin with silver handles and adorned with white roses to the service at Home Counties Church.
Also on the funeral carriage were a red floral tribute that said “son” and a blue tribute that said “dad.” After the service, his coffin was moved to a black Jaguar hearse.
His bandmate Styles, dressed in black, arrived at the funeral in a BMW alongside Corden. Horan attended with his girlfriend Amelia Woolley, while Malik arrived shortly after Tomlinson.
The American influencer Cassidy arrived with Damian Hurley, son of the model Elizabeth Hurley.
Girls Aloud singers Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, wearing long black coats and sunglasses, supported their bandmate Cheryl.
Capital Radio DJs Chris Stark, Jordan North and Sian Welby paid tribute, as did new BBC Radio 2 breakfast presenter Scott Mills, former professional footballer Robbie Keane and broadcaster Adrian Chiles.
Harry Styles leaves after the funeral of Liam Payne, his former One Direction bandmate
One Direction member Niall Horan also attended Liam Payne’s funeral.
Zayn Malik, wearing a black jacket, jack shirt and dark sunglasses, leaves the service today.
Liam Payne’s horse-drawn coffin arrives at church
The Order of Service included a photo of the singer smiling, captioned “in loving memory.”
A floral tribute spelling out the word ‘Dad’ at the funeral
People meet at the door of a church before the funeral.
JLS star and TV presenter Marvin Humes, who met Payne when he first auditioned for The X Factor in 2008, attended alongside his wife, The Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes.
Before the start of the funeral, dozens of locals and fans gathered to pay their final respects to Payne, who died on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires.
Fans around the world held vigils in his memory after his death, while a shrine to the late star was created in his hometown of Wolverhampton.
He died from multiple traumas and “internal and external hemorrhages,” according to a post-mortem examination report.
Following Payne’s death, his One Direction bandmates said they were “completely devastated” and will miss the singer “terribly.”
Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, was comforted by her friend Damian Hurley at today’s service.
Nicola Roberts, who was in Girls Aloud with Cheryl, was also at the service today.
Kimberley Walsh, former member of Girls Aloud, leaves the cemetery today
Styles and James Corden following the service, which was attended by friends and family.
His bandmate Zayn Malik pictured at the funeral today.
Payne’s coffin is carried out of the church by pallbearers after today’s service.
A display of bowling flower arrangements was seen in the church.
Liam Payne died on October 16 after falling from the balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires
In a joint statement, they said they would say more over time, but would take some time to “grieve and process the loss of our brother, whom we loved very much.”
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” they added.
All of the singers also reflected on memories of their time together and their love for Payne in individual statements.
After One Direction went on indefinite hiatus in 2016, Payne launched a successful solo career, releasing his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019, which included the songs Polaroid and Strip That Down featuring Quavo.