Liam Payne’s ex Cheryl and their seven-year-old son Bear will attend his funeral today – with all four of his former One Direction bandmates expected to join them.
Payne died on October 16 at the age of 31 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 all expected to attend what is believed to be their first public gathering as a group since their last concert in 2015.
A church source said a choir and musicians will perform at the service, which will start at 1 p.m. One of the floral displays features bowling pins and a ball – a nod to his love of bowling, which Mrs Cassidy said he did 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 was seen earlier this year
Payne, pictured in Dubai last year, died on October 16 at the age of 31 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 his love of bowling, which Ms Cassidy said he did four times a week
Flowers are being prepared at the church in the Home Counties ahead of Payne’s funeral
The location of the funeral is a closely guarded secret, and local residents only realized the funeral was taking place when ‘no parking’ signs were posted around the church.
Two traffic enforcement officers patrolled the area and issued tickets to drivers who ignored the signs.
Payne traveled to Argentina in September, where he saw former bandmate Niall Horan perform as well as his good friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores. He had extended his stay to renew his US visa when the tragedy occurred.
The entrance to the church where the service takes place is decorated with candle lanterns and white roses arranged in the surrounding shrubs.
A source said this The sun: ‘His family has gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the farewell he deserves.
‘Liam may have been a global superstar, but for Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy. It will be an extremely difficult day.’
In a joint statement released after Payne’s death, Tomlinson, Malik, Horan and Styles said they were “completely devastated.”
“In due time, and when everyone is able, there will be more to say,” they said.
“But for now, we will take time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, whom we loved dearly.
“The memories we shared with him will be cherished 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 all later released 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 stand next to him as he did that.
Flower arrangers 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 wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had a life energy that was contagious.
“He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever be some of the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my dear friend.
‘My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear and everyone around the world who knew and loved him as I do.’
Tomlinson said in a separate emotional tribute that he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’.
In a signed statement ‘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 talked 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 to his Instagram page of them both on stage, with Payne lovingly placing his arm over Tomlinson’s shoulder.
Tomlinson said he would be an uncle to Payne’s son Bear if he “ever needs me” and “tell him stories about how great his dad was.”
“I am so grateful that we have become even closer since bonding, talking on the phone for hours and reminiscing about the thousands of wonderful memories we had together is a luxury I thought I would have with you for life.” , he wrote. .
‘I would have liked to share the stage with you again, but that was not to be.
“I wish I had the chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.
Payne was on holiday in South America with girlfriend Kate Cassidy (left)
Tributes and flowers are placed outside St Peter’s collegiate church in memory of former One Direction singer Liam Payne, in Wolverhampton
One Direction fans gather to pay tribute to Liam Payne at the Monument of the Revolution in Mexico City on October 17
“Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you buddy. Sleep well X’.
Malik said he talked loudly to Payne “hoping you could hear me.”
In his own heartbreaking tribute, he said he had “lost a brother when you left us.”
“And I can’t explain to you what I would give if I hugged you one last time and said goodbye to you properly and told you that I loved and respected you very much,” he wrote .
‘I will forever cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart. There are no words that can justify or explain how I feel right now, other than that I am devastated. I hope you are doing well wherever you are now, that you are at peace and that you know how loved you are. I love you, brother.”