SAD REUNION: Ex-One Direction bandmates pay respects to Liam Payne

International

THE funeral of Liam Payne on Thursday (Philippine time) saw an emotional reunion of the remaining One Direction members, who gathered to pay their respects to their late bandmate.

Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, who shared the global spotlight with Payne as part of one of the world’s most famous boy bands, attended the service in Amersham, England, a month after the singer’s tragic death.

The members of the band, who had risen to superstardom together, arrived in separate cars, each carrying somber expressions as they prepared to honor their friend and fellow musician.

Styles was the first to arrive, walking into the church while briefly acknowledging the media. He was also the last to leave, joining TV host James Corden in a car after the service, a report by CNN said.

Malik and Tomlinson arrived at the church simultaneously, shortly before Horan.

In a joint statement on social media, Malik, Styles, Horan, and Tomlinson expressed their devastation, describing Payne as a beloved brother whose memories they would treasure forever.

Payne's dark blue casket was carried by a horse-drawn carriage to a flint stone church, adorned with white roses and floral tributes.

One bouquet read “son,” and another “daddy,” a poignant reminder of Payne's role as a father to his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with former partner Cheryl Tweedy.

His mother, visibly grieving, watched as the casket was brought inside, while music mogul Simon Cowell offered comfort to Payne's parents after the service.

Payne’s death on October 16 followed a fall from the third-floor balcony of his hotel in Buenos Aires, where toxicology reports revealed the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system.

Argentine authorities have opened an investigation, and three individuals face preliminary charges related to the incident.

Fans and locals gathered in Amersham to pay tribute to the singer, with many sharing personal memories of his music.(CMM)