Liam Payne’s funeral will take place today, with all four of his former One Direction bandmates expected to pay their respects at the ceremony in the Home Counties.
The former One Direction star, 31, died just over a month ago from head injuries suffered after falling from the balcony of his third-floor hotel suite in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
His heartbroken father Geoff brought his son’s remains back to Britain two weeks ago after extensive investigations into his death by Argentine authorities.
Payne had traveled to Argentina in September with his good friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores – described by some as his manager – to renew his visa to live in the US and see his former bandmate Niall Horan perform.
He will be buried today at a private funeral in the Home Counties, attended only by his family and closest friends, followed by a wake.
Former One Direction members Harry Styles, 30, Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, are expected to be on hand to say their final goodbyes.
Liam Payne’s funeral will take place today, with all four former One Direction bandmates expected to pay their respects at the ceremony
Aerial view of the hotel where British singer Liam Payne died in Buenos Aires
Liam rose to fame with the band One Direction. He is pictured with his bandmates in 2013
In a joint statement released after Payne’s tragic 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.
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’
‘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’.
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.”