Simon Cowell breaks down in emotional hug with Liam Payne’s parents at late singer’s funeral

Simon Cowell broke down as he wrapped Liam Payne’s parents in a hug at the late singer’s funeral on Wednesday.

The “America’s Got Talent” judge buried his head in Payne’s father Geoff’s shoulder while he kept his arm around the singer’s mother Karen.

Cowell’s fiancée, Lauren Silverman, looked on during the emotional moment, but remained a step behind the trio.

Simon Cowell shared an emotional hug with Liam Payne’s parents at the late singer’s funeral. Aaron Parfitt / SplashNews.com
Payne’s dad, Geoff, appeared to comfort Cowell. WireImage
The trio spoke outside the funeral. Aaron Parfitt / SplashNews.com

The music mogul suited up in a black turtleneck with a matching blazer and slacks, shading his eyes with a pair of round-framed sunglasses at the emotional UK service, which he and Silverman attended hand-in-hand.

The socialite, for her part, sported a black double breasted blazer with black pants.

She carried a black handbag and also completed her look with sunglasses.

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman held hands while arriving to Liam Payne’s funeral on Wednesday. WireImage
The “Britain’s Got Talent” judge and his fiancée looked straight ahead while walking into the private service. WireImage
They each wore all black to the service held outside of London. WireImage
The couple joined other notable attendees. Mancpicss66 / SplashNews.com

Cowell, 65, played a crucial role in Payne’s professional life as he helped create One Direction in 2010.

After Payne originally auditioned for “The X Factor” as a solo artist, Cowell paired him up in a group with fellow contestants Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, officially creating the boy band beloved by fans across the world.

Payne’s former bandmates were all in attendance for Wednesday’s service to honor the late singer. At one point, Tomlinson and Malik stopped to chat outside, while Horan and Styles did the same.

Cowell helped form One Direction in 2010. Mancpicss66 / SplashNews.com
Payne’s former One Direction members – including Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, pictured here – were all in attendance for Wednesday’s service. Mancpicss66 / SplashNews.com
Harry Styles and Niall Horan also paid tribute to their former bandmate on Wednesday. AFP via Getty Images

The “Teardrops” singer’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, arrived at the service just moments before Payne’s four famous friends. She wore all black and walked in with Elizabeth Hurley’s son, Damian Hurley.

Shortly after all the guests arrived inside the intimate service, pallbearers were seen lifting Payne’s casket into the church after a horse-drawn carriage decked with floral arrangements carried it through the streets.

Payne’s funeral took place more than one month after he tragically died when he fell three stories from his Buenos Aires hotel room on Oct. 16. He was 31.

Payne was laid to rest after he died on Oct. 16. Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal
His casket was carried through the streets in a horse-drawn carriage. Getty Images

Shortly after Payne died, Cowell took to social media to share an emotional tribute and express how “devastated” and “heartbroken” he was.

“I feel empty,” he wrote in part via Instagram on Oct. 18. “And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.”

Cowell described the late singer as “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused.”

The intimate service took place at a church in the UK. W8Media / MEGA
Cowell previously shared an emotional tribute to Payne shortly after his death. Getty Images

Advertisement

Related Posts

Bodybuilder “Jodi Vance” DIED at the age of 20 due to “severe dehydration” just because she didn’t do this right…

Vance’s trainer said her health had become “quite concerning” recently Bodybuilder Jodi Vance . Photo: Jodi Vance/Instagram Bodybuilder Jodi Vance has died after suffering a fatal heart attack, her family said. She was 20 years old. A post on Vance’s  …

Read more

“Why Did They Abandon Their Elderly Parents Until Death, Driven by Past Stressful Conflicts?”

Legendary Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman died at the age of 95 along with his wife Betsy Arakawa at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on February 26, 2025. He is survived by three children from his first marriage to Faye Maltese: Christopher …

Read more

“Uncovering the Haunting Death of Gene Hackman and His Wife: A Timeline That Sends Shivers, with One Disturbing Detail”

Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy were found dead in their Santa Fe, N.M., home on Feb. 26 When authorities went inside the two-story Santa Fe, N.M., home of  Gene Hackman  and  his wife Betsy  around 2 p.m. on Wed. Feb. 26, they spotted Betsy first. …

Read more

Mocks Selena Gomez in a new post specifically showing her attitude when …

Model Hailey Bieber denies liking a sarcastic TikTok post about Justin Bieber’s ex Selena Gomez. Model Hailey Bieber. Photo:  Wire Hailey Bieber’s rep is speaking out after a TikToker claimed she “liked” a TikTok post mocking Selena Gomez and her …

Read more

Queen Mary Just Copied Kate Middleton’s Most Shimmery Gown to Date

Generate Key Takeaways It was a glimmering event for Queen Mary in Copenhagen this past week in more ways than one: She and her husband King Frederik hosted an Arts and Culture Ball at Christianborg Palace, taking over a tiara-worthy tradition started …

Read more

Kate Middleton & Meghan Markle And Their Fight Over Bees

Not only is she supposedly stealing ideas, but she’s stealing hobbies, too?  That’s what a lot of fans and critics can’t help but wonder as it’s being pointed out that Kate Middleton has long been a beekeeper before Meghan Markle told the world about …

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *