Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy joins mourners at tragic singer’s funeral as Harry Styles leads his One Direction bandmates and Girls Aloud stars rally round Cheryl

Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has arrived at his funeral today – with Harry Styles leading his One Direction bandmates as they rally around Cheryl.

Payne died aged 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

Nicola Robert’s, a member of Girl’s Aloud pop group, was among the first mourners to arrive. She was greeted with a kiss by Simon Jones, the former PR for One Direction who now acts for Cheryl, the mother of Payne’s son, Bear.

Kimberley Walsh, 43, was later seen walking through the churchyard followed by Ms Cassidy, 25, who was accompanied by her friend Damian Hurley, 22.

Harry Styles, 30, Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, are all expected to be present in what is believed to be their first public meeting as a group since their last concert in 2015.

A church source said a choir and musicians will perform at the service, which is set to begin at 1pm. One of the floral displays shows bowling pins and a ball – a nod to his love of bowling, which Ms Cassidy said he did four times a week.

Liam Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, arriving at the church for the singer’s funeral today alongside Damian Hurley, 22

Singer Nicola Roberts, 39, hugs a fellow mourner before the funeral this afternoon

Kimberley Walsh, 43, was among the first celebrities to arrive outside the church

Damian Hurley waits outside with mourners before Payne’s funeral

Cheryl Cole will be attending the One Direction star’s funeral today. She’s seen earlier this year

One of the floral displays shows bowling pins and a ball – a nod to his love of bowling, which Ms Cassidy said he did four times a week

Payne, pictured in Dubai last year, died aged 31 on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires

The funeral’s location has been a closely guarded secret, and local residents only realised it was taking place when ‘no parking’ signs were erected around the church.

Two traffic enforcement officers patrolled the area handing out tickets to any drivers ignoring the signs.

Payne travelled to Argentina in September where he watched former bandmate Niall Horan perform and also saw his close friend Rogelio ‘Roger’ Nores. He had extended his stay to renew his visa to live in the US when the tragedy occurred.

The entrance of the church which is hosting the service has been decorated with candle lanterns and white roses that have been arranged in surrounding shrubbery.

In a joint statement released following Payne’s death, Tomlinson, Malik, Horan, and Styles said they were ‘completely devastated.’

‘In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,’ they said.

‘But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.

‘The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us.

‘We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam – Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.’

Tomlinson, Styles and Malik all later released separate tributes.

Styles wrote on Instagram that he was ‘truly devastated’ and will ‘miss him always’.

‘His greatest joy was making other people happy and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.

James Corden

Adrian Chiles

Flower arrangers outside the entrance of the church where his funeral is taking place

Flowers being prepared at the church in the Home Counties ahead of Payne’s funeral

Aerial view of the hotel where Payne died in Buenos Aires

Payne rose to fame with band One Direction. He is pictured with his bandmates in 2013

Rise of Liam Payne: One Direction star’s X Factor journey

Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious.

‘He was warm, supportive and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.

‘My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew him and loved him, as I did.’

Tomlinson said in a separate emotional tribute that he was ‘really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye’.

In a statement signed ‘Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry’, Liam Payne’s One Direction bandmates said they were ‘completely devastated’