Mourners including Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy have gathered to say goodbye at his funeral.
Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik are among the family and friends attending the private ceremony, which is taking place at a church in the Home Counties. Simon Cowell, who put the band together on The X Factor, has also arrived for the service.
Payne died after he fell from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 16 October.
Fans from around the world have held their own vigils over the past few weeks, and tributes have been left today in his hometown, Wolverhampton.
Louis Tomlinson is also attending the ceremony. Pic: PA
Damian Hurley (right) arrived with Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy (centre). Pic: PA
Girls Aloud singers Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh are also among those attending his funeral, along with TV and radio presenters including James Corden, Marvin and Rochelle Humes, Scott Mills, and Adrian Chiles, and former professional footballer Robbie Keane.
Dozens of locals and fans have also gathered outside the church, which has been decorated with candle lanterns and white roses.
Payne rose to fame alongside Styles, Tomlinson, Malik and Horan on The X Factor in 2010. Head judge Cowell put them together to form One Direction – and they went on to become one of the most successful UK pop groups of all time.
Zayn Malik and Niall Horan (below). Pics: Reuters/PA
After the band announced their hiatus, the singer launched his solo career, releasing his debut album LP1 in December 2019.
His solo hits included Strip That Down, Bedroom Floor and For You, a collaboration with singer Rita Ora – who paid tribute to Payne as she hosted the MTV Europe Music Awards in Manchester.
He leaves behind his son, Bear, whom he had with his former partner Cheryl, and his parents and two sisters.
Prosecutors in Argentina have launched an investigation into Payne’s death and announced earlier this month that three people had been charged in connection with the incident.
Read more:
One Direction made dreams a reality – but fame wasn’t easy
He had the X Factor – but less support than artists today
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.