The members of One Direction had a heartbreaking reunion at the funeral of their late bandmate Liam Payne. Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan came together for a private ceremony for Payne’s family and friends. Payne’s body arrived at a local church in a horse-drawn carriage.
Liam Payne’s funeral was a heartbreaking sendoff
Liam Payne was given a regal sendoff by his family members at his funeral held outside of London on Nov. 20, 2024. The body of the former One Direction singer and songwriter arrived at a local church in a white, horse-drawn carriage.
Liam Payne died on Oct. 16, 2024, in Spain. His cause of death was “multiple trauma” and “internal and external hemorrhage” as a result of a fall from a hotel balcony reports the BBC.
Payne’s body was released to his family on Nov. 6 after a toxicology report conducted by local authorities. His father, Geoff Payne, thus accompanied his son home to the United Kingdom.
Payne’s funeral is the first time One Direction’s members have appeared in public together in nine years. Arriving separately for the wake were Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.
Sky News reports Simon Cowell, and Girls Aloud singers Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, were also in attendance. Also paying respects were Cheryl, James Corden, Marvin and Rochelle Humes, Scott Mills, Adrian Chiles, and former professional athlete Robbie Keane.
Liam Payne’s bandmates paid tribute to their friend after his untimely death
After receiving news of Liam Payne’s death, his One Direction bandmates paid tribute to their friend and longtime singing partner. Each member shared their private thoughts on social media, while the official One Direction Instagram account shared a statement from the band’s remaining members.
It read, “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.”
The statement continues, “But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured 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.”
When was the last time One Direction appeared publicly?
It was March 2015 when Zayn Malik announced his intention to leave One Direction. Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson continued as a four-piece for one year thereafter.
Malik spoke publicly for the first time about the split in July 2023 in an interview for the Call Her Daddy podcast. “I knew something was happening, so I just got ahead of the curve,” Malik said. “I was like, ‘I’m just going to get out of here, I think this is done.’”
“And I completely selfishly wanted to be the first person to go and make my own record. If I’m being completely honest with you, I was like, ‘I’m going to jump the gun here,’” Malik said.
“I’m a passive dude, but when it comes to my music and my business, I’m serious about it and I’m competitive, so I wanted to be the first to go and do my own thing. That was the reason.”
One Direction recorded Made in the A.M. in 2015 before the band went on an indefinite hiatus in December of the same year. Styles, Malik, Payne, Tomlinson, and Horan all had successful solo careers thereafter.
Payne leaves behind his son, Bear, whom he co-parented with his former partner Cheryl, his parents, and two sisters.
