Cheryl has bid an emotional final goodbye to Liam Payne – the father of her seven-year-old son – as he was laid to rest in a private service following his tragic death at the age of just 31.

The former Girls Aloud singer, 41, walked behind her ex’s coffin following a poignant ceremony attended by family members and a host of stars from the world of music and sport.

Harry Styles, 30, joined fellow members of One Direction Niall Horan, 31, Zayn Malik, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, to celebrate the life of their beloved former bandmate. They have described themselves as ‘completely devastated’.

Simon Cowell, who created One Direction, embraced Payne’s parents Geoff and Karen as they left the church, while Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, was comforted by her friend Damian Hurley, 22.

Cheryl was in a relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018 and they share a son, Bear. She was supported at the service by fellow Girls Aloud members Nicola Roberts, 39, and Kimberley Walsh, 43.

Joining them were the likes of new Radio 2 Breakfast DJ Scott Mills, James Corden and Marvin and Rochelle Humes – who passed floral displays showing bowling pins and a ball in a touching tribute to Payne’s love of bowling.

Cheryl leaving the church following an emotional ceremony attended by family members and a host of stars

Cheryl was in a relationship with Payne between 2016 and 2018 and they share a son, Bear

Harry Styles leaves the service, which was also attended by his former One Direction bandmates

The star left the church and stepped into a waiting car, which drove him off

Niall Horan was accompanied by Amelia Woolley, his girlfriend of four years

Louis Tomlinson leaves the church holding an order of service

Zayn Malik, who wore a black jacket, jack shirt and dark sunglasses, walks through the churchyard after the service concluded

Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy, 25, was comforted by her friend Damian Hurley, 22

Kimberley Walsh, a former member of Girls Aloud, leaves through the churchyard

Payne’s coffin is carried out of the church by pallbearers following the service

It was then placed into a waiting hearse. The service is being followed by a private wake

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

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A horse-drawn carriage carried the dark blue coffin with silver handles and topped with white roses to the service.

On top of the carriage, there was a red floral tribute which said ‘son’ and a blue tribute which said ‘daddy’.

Following the service, his coffin was carried outside and placed inside a black Jaguar hearse.

Other celebrities who attended the service included Capital radio DJs Chris Stark, Jordan North and Sian Welby, who all arrived together.

Scott Mills, who spent a lot of time with One Direction in the early days of their career, wore a black long coat over dark trousers for the service.

Former professional footballer Robbie Keane and broadcaster Adrian Chiles were also amongst the mourners gathering to pay their last respects.

Niall Horan and his girlfriend Amelia Woolley were dropped off by a black Range Rover and went straight into the church, while Harry Styles was accompanied by actor and presenter James Corden.

JLS star Marvin Humes wore a long back coat, black trousers and black gloves while Rochelle also donned a long coat with cape detailing.

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

A handful of locals and fans gathered outside the church to pay their final respects.

Styles and James Corden following the service, which was attended by friends and family

Niall Horan leaving through the churchyard with his girlfriend

Nicola Roberts, who was previously in Girls Aloud with Cheryl

Tara Lloyd, 20, a hospital ward hostess, said: ‘He was a great guy, Liam Payne. The way he passed away was very sudden – I was very shocked and at first I was a little bit in denial.

‘Growing up, I was a massive fan of One Direction, so I almost felt like a little piece of the child in me was gone.’

Cleaner Alicia Salisbury, 32, who had travelled from London, called him ‘a legend’ and described One Direction as ‘the biggest boy band of all time.’

‘Plus solo artist, dancer, actor, you can’t really beat that. What a career he had,’ she added, referring to Payne.

‘He’ll always hold a special place in everyone’s heart’, she added.

Heidi Camp, 33, who lives nearly, said: ‘Of all the places in England, it’s quite an honour that his family has chosen to do this here.’

She said she first became a fan of Liam Payne when he appeared as a solo auditionee in The X Factor in 2010, just before One Direction was formed.

‘I remember Simon Cowell putting them together and I loved them – I did not think for a second they’d be as big as they became. Liam was great – they’re all great boys.’

Liam Payne’s former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles arrives at his funeral today

Louis Tomlinson was seen talking to mourners before walking into the service

Niall Horan and his girlfriend Amelia Woolley were dropped off by a black Range Rover and went straight into the church

Zayn Malik wore a black velvet jacket and sunglasses as he stepped inside the church

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

Simon Cowell accompanied by his girlfriend, Lauren Silverman

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

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

Payne’s coffin draws up outside the flint-napped church on a bright but cold day in the Home Counties

Payne’s father Geoff outside the front door of the church as he waits for the hearse to arrive

The singer’s parents both watched as their son’s coffin was brought into the building

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

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.

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.