MILLIONS knew Liam Payne as the superstar who rose to fame with One Direction — but yesterday he was remembered as a son, brother and father.
Just over a month after his shocking death aged just 31, his family and closest friends gathered at his funeral to pay their last respects.
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One Direction star Liam Payne was remembered as a son, brother and dad at his funeralCredit: Getty
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Liam’s family and closest friends gathered to pay their last respects following the star’s death aged 31Credit: Louis Wood
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James Corden hugs a mourner at the serviceCredit: PA
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A memorial in his home town of Wolverhampton was filled with tributes from fans yesterdayCredit: AND
On the hardest day of her life, Cheryl Tweedy, mother of his young son Bear, was cheered on by her Girls Aloud bandmates Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts.
Inside the church, the choir sang as Liam’s nearest and dearest struggled to come to terms with their “unfathomable” loss.
Those who knew Liam best also gave readings – with the star’s great generosity at the center of an emotional send-off.
A friend said: “The service was wonderful but for everyone at the church the loss of Liam is still unfathomable.
READ MORE ABOUT LIAM’S FUNERAL
“The choir performed during the service and Liam’s personality shone through in every detail.
“The day’s readings during the service were incredibly personal and painted a picture of who Liam really was.
“He was kind, generous and put everyone else first. The service was focused on that.
“Liam as a son, brother and father. The man who was behind closed doors. A man who did his best to help others. The fact that he is no longer with us is still incomprehensible.”
Locals reverently lined the streets ahead of the service in Amersham, Bucks, it turned out.
Flowers were presented yesterday by his parents Geoff and Karen and, most touchingly, his seven-year-old son Bear.
There were also nods to Liam’s love of ten-pin bowling – as flowers were left at a shrine in his hometown of Wolverhampton.
Liam Payne’s funeral will be held tomorrow with all four members of One Direction for a ‘perfect service’
His funeral was also marked by donations for sick children in tribute to Liam’s generosity.
In the months leading up to his death, the star quietly helped many in need. He gave £10,000 towards the treatment of one poor boy, while another £770 went towards the medical bills of a young girl after she was injured during a school shooting.
In other acts of kindness, he helped a young girl diagnosed with stage two Wilms tumor on her kidney.
The service was beautiful, but for everyone at the church, the loss of Liam is still unfathomable
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Mourners have been asked to continue Liam’s legacy with a donation to help build the new Children’s Cancer Center at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
A friend said: “Liam was generous. His family knew that Liam cared deeply about others and, as painful as his death was, they know that Liam would be very proud to know that he could still help others.
“A large amount of money was donated to this yesterday in Liam’s name and it will help so many children.”
Liam’s passions are also highlighted, including his love for Batman. The cars that took his friends to the service had a superhero logo on the window.
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Pallbearers carry Liam’s coffin which was decorated with white roses Credit: Louis Wood
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An emotional hug from Girls Aloud’s Nicole Roberts Credit: Dan Charity
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An incredibly touching floral gift from Liam’s seven-year-old son, BearCredit: Dan Charity
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Television presenter and fellow West Brom fan Adrian Chiles attended the funeral Credit: Getty
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Image of fans of the late star at the shrine in the parkCredit: Reuters
Mourners included TV presenter and fellow West Brom fan Adrian Chiles, Gavin & Stacey star James Corden and former Spurs striker Robbie Keane.
But there were many who loved Liam and couldn’t attend. Robbie Williams — who paid tribute following Liam’s death — and former X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger have reportedly been in touch with his family and have sent flowers.
His One Direction co-stars – Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan – were all there yesterday in a touching show of support and togetherness.
The friend added: “No one knows what it was like to be in One Direction like these five men.
“They may not have been in touch all the time, but the bond they share is unbreakable. Liam was the ‘dad’ of the band, always speaking up when others needed him.
“Harry, Louis, Zayn and Niall now have to go down a path none of them thought they would go down. Everyone was there yesterday to support Liam’s family and each other.”
Afterwards, at a vigil held nearby, more stories and memories of Liam were shared.
A friend said: “Life will go on, as always.
“But for the people in Liam’s life, the people who loved him, they now have a long road ahead of them.”
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Cheryl’s friend and Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh is also in attendance Credit: Rex
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Former Spurs striker Robbie Keane seen arrivingCredit: PA
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One Direction star Harry Styles looked somber at the serviceCredit: Getty
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Zayn Malik reunited with the band for the first timeCredit: PA
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Louis Tomlinson pictured in black at Liam’s send-off Credit: Dan Charity / The Sun
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Niall Horan and his girlfriend Amelia Woolley paid tribute Credit: Getty
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