Cheryl Tweedy and One Direction join mourners at Liam Payne’s funeral

Among the first to arrive were his former bandmate Styles, wearing a black overcoat and sunglasses, and Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who attended with model Damian Hurley.

Other mourners included music impresario Simon Cowell, who first formed One Direction on ITV talent show The X Factor in 2010, with his fiancée Lauren Silverman. Cowell comforted Payne’s parents, Geoff and Karen, before leaving in a limousine.

Comedian James Corden was also in attendance, as were radio presenter Scott Mills, Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts and ex-footballer Robbie Keane, while Adrian Chiles arrived at the church in a West Bromwich Albion jacket in tribute to the late singer, a passionate singer. football fan and season ticket holder at The Hawthorns.

One source told The Sun: “His family have gone to great lengths to put together the perfect service and give him the send-off he deserves.

“Liam may have been a global superstar, but for Geoff and Karen he will always be their little boy. It will be an incredibly difficult day.”

At the order of service, the family thanked those in attendance for “all the kind messages received” and asked them to consider a donation “in memory of Liam” to Great Ormond Street Hospital.