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Liam Payne’s family and his One Direction bandmates mourn singer at private funeral

BBG News

As I sat down to read about Liam Payne’s funeral, my heart swelled with a bittersweet mix of emotions. It’s always tragic when we lose someone so young and talented, but it was particularly poignant to see his former bandmates, family, and friends gather to pay their respects.

On Wednesday, Liam Payne’s ex-bandmates, relatives, and close friends came together in England for his funeral, approximately a month following his passing due to a fall in Buenos Aires.

Former members of the band One Direction, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan went to a private service held at St. Mary’s Church, located in Amersham, a town northwest of London. Simon Cowell (a judge from “X Factor”) and singer Cheryl Cole, the ex-fiancée of Payne with whom he had a young son, were also present. Additionally, his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who was with Payne in Argentina before his passing, attended the service as well.

In the 12th century, a church made of stone bricks was adorned with white roses and candles. The hearse pulling the dark blue casket of the “Strip That Down” singer arrived at this church, driven by a white horse-drawn carriage laden with floral arrangements that spelled out “son” and “daddy,” according to BBC reports. Payne, who was 31 when he passed away, resided in the nearby village of Chalfont St. Giles.

As I stood there, my heart heavy with sorrow, I watched as the late singer’s mother broke down in tears, while his father, Geoff Payne – who had traveled all the way to Argentina to retrieve his son’s body – remained stoically composed. According to CNN, we both witnessed the flower-adorned casket being carried into the church.

After the funeral at the church, a group of four men transported the casket, followed closely by Payne’s parents and Cole. Additionally, Cole’s bandmates from Girls Aloud, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts, were present for the service. Other attendees included former talk show host James Corden, soccer star Robbie Keane, as well as various other well-known British personalities in the television industry.

Despite some fans and locals quietly lining the streets during the service, One Direction’s large fanbase did not flock to the small town. The Associated Press revealed that the funeral location was kept private beforehand to prevent a big gathering. Similarly, members of the vast 1D community on Reddit advised against approaching the pop stars and mourners, stating that “memorials are for fans, funerals are for family.

In the days right after his passing, each of Styles, Tomlinson, Horan, and Malik shared heartfelt tributes to their “brother” on their social media platforms.

I met an unfortunate end on October 16, falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. Argentine authorities concluded that my death was due to the injuries and bleeding, both internal and external, sustained from the fall. It appears I didn’t instinctively protect myself, possibly indicating that I might have fallen while semi- or fully unconscious. As a pop star who had been in South America for a concert with Horan, traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant were found in my system upon my death.

Upon the disclosure of the initial autopsy report a day following the singer’s tragic demise, Argentine authorities revealed findings suggesting illicit substances in the singer’s hotel quarters. These substances were indicative of potential drug use, coupled with signs of alcohol and narcotic consumption. As a devoted cinephile, this revelation leaves me profoundly saddened and concerned about the circumstances surrounding such a gifted artist’s untimely end.

Three individuals are under investigation for their possible roles in the unexpected passing of the pop star. One is an individual often seen with Payne at the hotel, another is a hotel staff member who is accused of giving Payne cocaine during his stay, and the third is a potential drug dealer who has previously been implicated in unrelated narcotics cases. The charges against them involve neglect leading to death and supplying and assisting in the distribution of illegal substances.

Previously a member of One Direction, who went solo after their breakup in 2015, was scheduled to appear as a celebrity mentor on the Netflix series “Building the Band” alongside former X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland from Destiny’s Child, and AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys. However, due to his recent passing, it remains unclear if or how the show will continue as planned by Netflix.

Following fan uproar, Sam Pounds, Payne’s musical partner, decided against releasing the late singer’s posthumous single “Do No Wrong” as planned.

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2024-11-20 20:31

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