Liam Payne’s friends and family pulled out all the stops to give the One Direction star the send-off he deserved, integrating special touches in a subtle nod to the singer.
Mourners, including his former bandmates Harry, Louis, Niall and Zayn, gathered at a private funeral at St Mary’s Church in Amersham today to remember Payne.
White roses forming the word “Dad” were placed alongside bowling ball-shaped roses knocking down some pins at the Buckinghamshire church.
While the pins might have seemed out of place on a gloomy day, the piece reflected the 31-year-old’s passion for the game.
Liam spent his birthday in August bowling with his family and girlfriend Kate Cassidy, just weeks before falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The late singer took to Snapchat during the celebrations and joked with his followers that his security guard would be fired if he beat him at bowling again.
In the clip, Liam complained that “nothing rhymes with 31” until Kate suggested “dirty 31?”, and laughingly replied: “No, it’s dirty 30, I’m over it.”
He also showed off the hoodie his girlfriend bought him before heading to the lane to catch up with his closest loved ones.
White roses forming the word “Dad” were placed alongside bowling ball-shaped roses knocking down some pins at the Buckinghamshire church.
Many cars arrived at the funeral with Batman stickers in a touching tribute to the star who loved the DC superhero
A horse-drawn carriage carrying Liam Payne’s coffin arrives for the One Direction singer’s funeral at St Mary’s Church in Amersham.
A source told The Sun: “Liam was with his mother in Manchester, where they celebrated his birthday with his family.
‘They were still incredibly close and enjoyed spending time together bowling. Liam’s family stayed with him for a few days at the Stock Exchange Hotel.
They added: “It’s tragic to think that it ended up being the last time they would celebrate their special day with him.”
Shortly before his death, Kate shared a TikTok of the singer at the bowling alley with the caption: “He drags me bowling at least four times a week.”
One fan commented on the video saying, “The joy he got from bowling even though he was so bad at it… I miss him so much.”
In 2012, the Daily Mail documented how the One Direction bandmates spend their free time, with Harry and Liam opting to go bowling.
Many cars arriving at the funeral today sported a Batman sticker in a touching tribute to Liam’s love for the DC character.
A Snapchat of the One Direction star spending time doing what he loved most (pictured)
Liam photographed with a bowling ball on his Snapchat: bowling was one of his passions
The late singer took to Snapchat during his birthday celebrations (pictured) and joked to his followers that his security guard would be fired if he hit him again while bowling.
Liam (pictured) at the bowling alley. His girlfriend Kate previously said: “He drags me bowling at least four times a week.”
Some fans said Payne was “obsessed” with Batman and apparently had a life-size cutout of the superhero in his room at one point, The Mirror reported.
He posted a photo of himself on “Batman.” .’
He was also photographed in 2017 wearing a Lego Batman chain, while he previously dressed as the Gotham City hero for Jonathan Ross’s Halloween party.
The One Direction star celebrated one of his birthdays with a Batman-themed cake and owned a realistic Batman costume that he wore to multiple Halloween parties from 2012 to 2019.
A horse-drawn carriage carried the dark blue coffin with silver handles, topped with white roses, to today’s 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.
Liam’s ex-partner Cheryl said an emotional last goodbye today as he was laid to rest.
The former Girls Aloud singer, 41, walked behind her ex’s coffin after a moving ceremony attended by family and a host of stars from the world of music and sport.
Harry Styles, 30, joined his One Direction bandmates Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, to celebrate the life of their beloved former bandmate. They have described themselves as “completely devastated”.
One Direction creator Simon Cowell hugged Payne’s parents Geoff and Karen as they left the church, while Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, was comforted by friend Damian Hurley, 22.
Cheryl was in a relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018 and they share a son, Bear. She was supported at the service by her Girls Aloud colleagues Nicola Roberts, 39, and Kimberley Walsh, 43.
They were joined by the likes of new Radio 2 Breakfast DJ Scott Mills, James Corden and Marvin and Rochelle Humes.
The location of the funeral had been a closely guarded secret, and local residents only became aware that it was taking place when “no parking” signs were posted around the church.
A handful of locals and fans gathered outside the church to pay their final respects.