Simon Cowell was seen being comforted by Liam Payne’s parents outside the singer’s funeral service in a deeply emotional moment.
The music mogul, who helped catapult Payne to fame as part of One Direction, joined family, friends, and former bandmates at St Mary’s Church in Amersham on Wednesday (local time) to say goodbye to the 31-year-old following his death in Argentina last month.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Tributes flow for One Direction star Liam Payne.
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Cowell appeared visibly upset as Karen and Geoff Payne embraced him outside the church, the trio sharing a quiet moment after the service concluded.
The grieving parents, who planned the private funeral, were seen with their arms around Cowell as he appeared to wipe tears from his eyes.
The service, attended by Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, saw the church adorned with white roses and candle holders.
Payne’s coffin was transported on a carriage bearing two floral tributes reading “Daddy” and “Son,” a nod to his seven-year-old son Bear and his parents.
Bear was not photographed at the service, however, his mother, former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy was seen.
Payne died on October 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.
Toxicology reports revealed alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system at the time of his death.
Argentinian authorities have since charged three individuals with “abandonment of a person followed by death, supply and facilitation of narcotics”.
The Wolverhampton-born singer had been in Buenos Aires to attend bandmate Niall Horan’s concert but decided to extend his stay.
His girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, had returned home days before the incident occurred.
Payne had spoken openly about his struggles with substance abuse and mental health in recent years.
He celebrated six months of sobriety in mid-2023 after completing treatment in the US but later postponed a solo tour due to health complications.
He is survived by his son Bear, whom he shared with ex-partner Cheryl Tweedy.
The pair co-parented amicably after their split in 2018.
Payne’s former bandmates described themselves as “completely devastated” in a joint statement following his death.
“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly,” they wrote.
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. We will miss him terribly. We love you, Liam.”
Payne rose to fame in 2010 as part of One Direction, the global sensation formed on The X Factor.
– With AAP