Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

One Direction stars pay final respects to Liam Payne

Liam Payne was found dead on 16 October after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.

Payne’s coffin arrived in a white horse-drawn hearse adorned with floral tributes spelling 'Son' and 'Daddy,' followed by his parents. (Photo: Getty Images)
Payne’s coffin arrived in a white horse-drawn hearse adorned with floral tributes spelling 'Son' and 'Daddy,' followed by his parents. (Photo: Getty Images)

FAMILY and friends of Liam Payne, the One Direction star who died last month after falling from a hotel room in Buenos Aires, gathered for his funeral on Wednesday.

The private service was held at St Mary’s Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, with Payne’s former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson among the mourners. Payne’s parents, his two sisters, his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, and his former partner Cheryl Tweedy, with whom he has a son, were also in attendance.


A small group of fans watched from behind a cordon as guests embraced and entered the 12th-century church, where floral tributes had been placed.

"Because his death was such a public death, to have the funeral in a private way... I think it was very nice," said Sheila Morris, a 65-year-old onlooker from Amersham. "It's a beautiful church... it's a very beautiful place for a funeral," she added.

Payne’s coffin arrived in a white horse-drawn hearse adorned with floral tributes spelling "Son" and "Daddy," followed by his parents.

The singer, aged 31, was found dead on 16 October after falling from the balcony of his third-floor room at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Payne died from "multiple traumas" and "internal and external haemorrhaging" after his fall from a balcony overlooking a patio 14 metres high.

Hotel staff had contacted emergency services twice, reporting a guest “overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol” who was “destroying” a hotel room. Investigators said Payne was alone at the time and appeared to have been “going through an episode of substance abuse.”

Payne’s family issued a short statement after his death: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul."

One Direction described themselves as "completely devastated" by his passing.

Payne rose to fame with Styles, Horan, Tomlinson, and Malik after competing on The X Factor in 2010. The band became one of the highest-grossing live acts globally, releasing albums annually until they announced an indefinite hiatus in 2016, a year after Malik left the group.

Payne’s solo career included hits like "Strip That Down," which reached number three on the UK charts and number 10 on the US Billboard top songs list. His last single, "Teardrops," was released in March, with plans for a second album announced at the time.

In recent years, Payne had spoken openly about his struggles with substance abuse and coping with early fame.

Born and raised in Wolverhampton, central England, Payne’s death prompted an outpouring of grief worldwide, with thousands of fans gathering to pay tribute.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

DDLJ director Aditya Chopra earns UK Stage Debut Awards nod for 'Come Fall in Love'

Aditya Chopra (right) with his father, Yash Chopra

YRF

DDLJ director Aditya Chopra earns UK Stage Debut Awards nod for 'Come Fall in Love'

BOLLYWOOD filmmaker Aditya Chopra was last Thursday (21) named among the nominees of the UK Stage Debut Awards for his Come Fall in LoveThe DDLJ Musical, performed at Manchester’s Opera House earlier this year.

Chopra delivered a blockbuster in 1995 with Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, popular as DDLJ, with Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan in the lead roles. It was adapted to a theatrical production and had its UK premiere in May.

Keep ReadingShow less
John Alford

The case continues at St Albans Crown Court

PA

Actor John Alford on trial for alleged abuse of minors, says he was targeted for extortion

Highlights:

  • John Alford, 53, is accused of sexually abusing two girls aged 14 and 15 at a Hertfordshire party in 2022.
  • Charges include sexual activity with a child, sexual assault and assault by penetration.
  • Prosecutors allege both girls were drunk when the incidents occurred.
  • Alford, whose real name is John Shannon, denies all allegations.
  • The trial is taking place at St Albans Crown Court.

Former London’s Burning actor John Alford is on trial accused of sexually abusing two teenage girls at a house party in Hertfordshire on 9 April 2022.

The 53-year-old, from Holloway, north London, faces four counts of sexual activity with a 14-year-old and two charges involving a 15-year-old girl, including sexual assault and assault by penetration. He has denied all the charges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hyundai fraud case SRK Deepika

Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone have been listed in the complaint as brand ambassadors of Hyundai

Getty Images

Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone named in fraud case linked to Hyundai car defects

Highlights:

  • An FIR has been registered in Bharatpur against Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and Hyundai officials.
  • A local resident alleges his Hyundai Alcazar SUV, bought in 2022, developed major defects.
  • The case includes fraud and conspiracy charges under IPC and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
  • Both actors, Hyundai brand ambassadors, are accused of misleading consumers.
  • Neither Shah Rukh Khan nor Deepika Padukone’s teams have responded yet.

Legal case filed in Bharatpur

Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone are facing legal trouble after an FIR was filed against them in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. The complaint, registered on 25 August at Mathura Gate police station, also names six Hyundai officials.

The case stems from allegations made by Kirti Singh, a Bharatpur resident, who claimed his Hyundai Alcazar SUV, purchased in 2022 for more than ₹23 lakh, developed serious technical issues within months. He further alleged that repeated attempts to get the company to address the problems were unsuccessful.

Keep ReadingShow less
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce

Swift’s choice of So High School—widely believed to be inspired by Kelce—added a personal touch

Instagram/ taylorswift

Taylor Swift announces engagement to Travis Kelce with playful message to fans

Highlights:

  • Taylor Swift announced engagement to American footballer Travis Kelce via Instagram.
  • Kelce proposed in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, surrounded by floral displays.
  • Swift showcased a cushion-cut diamond ring from Artifex Fine Jewellery.
  • Fans and celebrities, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, reacted with excitement.

Taylor Swift confirms engagement with Instagram Post

Taylor Swift has announced her engagement to American football player Travis Kelce, sharing the news on Instagram with a carousel of images and the caption: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” The post, accompanied by her ballad So High School, quickly went viral, gaining more than 18 million likes within hours.

The photos show Kelce on one knee, Swift wearing a Ralph Lauren halter-neck dress and a Cartier watch, and the singer flashing her cushion-cut diamond engagement ring. According to reports, the ring was purchased from Artifex Fine Jewellery, with prices beginning at around $29,000 (£21,500).

Keep ReadingShow less
Lilly Singh reveals she’s been diagnosed with ovarian cysts
Lilly Singh reveals she’s been diagnosed with ovarian cysts
Getty Images

Lilly Singh joins Netflix’s Bollywood dance film 'Best of the Best'

NETFLIX has expanded its cast for Best of the Best, a coming-of-age film set around competitive Bollywood dancing, with comedian Lilly Singh joining in.

Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam have penned the story, about what happens when two childhood friends join the Bollywood dance team at their college. Minhaj will also act.

Keep ReadingShow less