Dozens of locals and fans have also gathered outside the church

LIAM Payne’s grieving family said goodbye to their “little boy” at his funeral today.

The star’s heartbroken parents Geoff and Karen arrived at the church in a black Mercedes people carrier.

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Geoff and Karen Payne behind their son’s coffinCredit: Reuters

a man in a black coat and tie stands in front of a stone wall
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Geoff Payne arriving at his son Liam’s funeralCredit: Goff

a woman in a black coat stands in front of a white carriage
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Karen Payne by Geoff’s side outside the churchCredit: SWNS

a group of people in black suits are standing in a cemetery
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Liam was laid to rest todayCredit: Reuters

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The order of service for Liam’s funeralCredit: SWNS

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Members of the public lined the route to the funeral serviceCredit: PA

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Liam’s hearse passing devastated fansCredit: SWNS
Liam’s mum and dad could be seen comforting each other as they followed the coffin as it was carried into the church by pallbearers.

Liam was laid to rest just over a month after he passed away aged just 31.

Dozens of locals and fans also gathered outside the church to pay their final respects.

The One Direction singer’s funeral took place in the Home Counties.

The funeral was private and is only being attended by his family and closest friends.

A wake took place following the service.

It was earlier snowing outside the 12th century church where the funeral took place.

A marquee was put up in preparation for guests’ arrival.

A floral tribute in the shape of bowling pins was also set up by the entrance.

Autumnal floral displays, made up of red and orange leaves, and white roses, were placed around the doorways of the church.
Liam Payne’s funeral will be held tomorrow with all four One Direction bandmates there for ‘perfect service’
Florists were also seen unloading dozens of bunches of white flowers from a van shortly after 9am.

A source said: “Liam’s funeral is taking place in the Home Counties.

“His family have gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the send off he deserves.

“Liam may have been a global superstar but to Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy.

“It is going to be an incredibly difficult day.”

Cheryl, 41, shares son Bear, seven, with Liam and spoke of the grief she feels for her son following his dad’s death.

She was a judge on X Factor when Wolverhampton-born Liam found fame as a teenager – and the couple later began dating in 2016.

They welcomed Bear in 2017 and went their separate ways the following year.

In a short statement following his death, Liam’s family said: “We are heartbroken.

“Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”

Heartbroken mourners gather to say goodbye to Liam Payne

By Rachel Dale

SNOW fell in the morning as heartbroken mourners gathered to say goodbye to 31-year-old Liam Payne, who passed away last month tragically leaving his seven-year-old son.

Stunning autumnal flowers were carefully placed around the entrance to the Grade I listed stone church where around 100 close friends and family were invited to pay their respects to the One Direction star and celebrate his life.

The streets fell silent as a horse-drawn white hearse travelled through the quaint market town of Amersham, Bucks, towards St Mary’s church.

Local residents who had lined the streets to pay their respects took off their hats and bowed their heads as the funeral procession passed by with the words “Son” in red roses and “Daddy” in white and blue floral tributes flanking Liam’s navy blue coffin.

The hearse stopped outside the church shortly after 1.15pm and the sun shone down as his coffin was lifted by four pallbearers and carried into the church.

His devastated parents comforted each other as they followed behind, accompanying their son on his final journey.

Underneath a blue sky, One Direction bandmates Liam, Niall, Zayne and Harry were tragically reunited for the first time in public since their split in 2015.

They gathered in the church for the short and sombre 45-minute service – in a devastating farewell that will mark the final time all five band members will be under the same roof again.

Cheryl led mourners out of the service clutching a white tissue in her black leather gloves.

His heartbroken girlfriend Kate also hid her tear-stained face behind dark glasses.

Liam’s loved ones huddled closely together outside the 13th-century church for around five minutes after the service. Seeking comfort against both the frosty weather but also united in their grief.

Liam passed away on October 16 after falling from his third floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He had been in the country to renew his US visa having relocated to Florida with his girlfriend, American influencer Kate Cassidy.

During his trip he attended Niall Horan’s sell-out concert at the Movistar Arena.

After news broke of his son’s passing, Liam’s brave father Geoff travelled out to South America to help authorities bring his son back to the UK.

Liam shot to international fame in 2010 when he auditioned for Simon Cowell’s The X Factor as a solo artist.

He was then put into One Direction by the judges.

Despite only coming third on the show, One Direction went on to become the biggest British group since The Beatles.

Throughout their five years together, they sold 70million records and landed four UK No1 singles and four UK No1 albums.

Speaking in 2022, Liam said he hoped to be remembered simply as being a “nice guy” rather than his musical accolades.

Liam said: “Honestly, just being a nice guy. I’d rather be known for being a nice guy than anything else.”