Sombre Cheryl leads raft of A-list mourners including 1D bandmates and Simon Cowell at Liam Payne’s funeral

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.

By EMILY-JANE HEAP

ONE Direction fan Alice Chapman came down to pay her respects to Liam Payne ahead of his funeral today.

The full-time mum, 40, who lives in the area where the funeral is being held, said she wanted to show the late singer's family how "loved" he was.

She told The Sun: "It was such a shock to hear Liam had died. I lost a friend in similar circumstances recently, so it touched my heart.

"Liam was just a normal boy from Wolverhampton who we all watched on the TV on a Saturday night with a Chinese."

The former events planner added: "It's a mark of respect to line the street for when his mum and dad drive through.

"I couldn't imagine anything worse than an empty street if it was my son. We want to show them that people care.

"People don't appreciate how respected and loved someone was until they are gone."

Local singer Alice Henry, 47, said she felt compelled to pay tribute to Liam as she is a parishioner at the church where his funeral is being held.

She added: "It's such a tragic situation. I go to the church and know the vicar who is conducting the service well, so I wanted to come down and pay my respects."

SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.

Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction's camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing 'Just a boy...' alongside a broken heart emoji.

Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: "Such an awful tragedy.

"Sending love to his family and all those who loved him."

X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was "devastated" and "lost for words".

He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x".

Liam Gallagher said he was "very sad" and told his followers on X: "Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy."

Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.

He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.

“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”

BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the "devastating news" on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.

JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: "I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..

"We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..

"Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP."

Niall Horan's brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a "top young man".

He added: "You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.

"My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.

"10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x"

German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.

The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: "RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…"

American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.

Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: "I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.

"He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone...

"I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry..."

Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: "RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family."

In another tweet, they added: "Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne."

American media personality Paris Hilton shared: "So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend."

ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam's tragic death on Instagram, adding: "Can't believe this! RIP Liam."

Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: "I'm so taken aback, rest in peace."

James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a "loving and kind soul".

The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: "Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.

"I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x."

Payne previously appeared on Cordon's The Late Late Show in America.

Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall - who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part - described him as "the first friend I made in this industry".

She said: "We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.

"Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we'd 'make it'. I hope you are at peace now".

Camila Cabello described his death as a "tragedy" and said he "made an impression" on her when she was a young girl.