Will One Direction reunite at Liam Payne's funeral
The shocking demise of One Direction member Liam Payne has left fans and fellow musicians in disbelief. Since the singer's untimely death, there have been rumors of a possible reunion of his former bandmates—Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan—at his funeral. Now, a new RadarOnline report has confirmed that the band members will get together for the first time since their 2016 split to attend Payne's funeral.
Funeral details and potential musical tribute
The funeral will be held in Payne's hometown of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands on Friday. There are indications the band members may perform a "moving tribute at the service in the style of Elton John's moving Candle in the Wind tribute at Princess Diana's funeral." However, an insider told RadarOnline they haven't confirmed any plans for a musical farewell and may pay their respects with others.
Speculations about a short reunion tour
Along with the funeral plans, there are also rumors of a possible short reunion tour with Styles, Malik, Tomlinson, and Horan. The speculations gained momentum after Malik posted cryptic messages with One Direction songs playing in the background. An insider shared that the "members will do something to celebrate his life and pay tribute to him. I can't see a full-scale tour, but I could see something along the lines of a show or a new track/song."
One Direction's journey and Payne's tragic death
Payne was discovered on The X Factor in 2010 with his One Direction bandmates. They were solo contestants but were made into a band. They became a global phenomenon, selling 70 million records worldwide before announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2016. Payne tragically died after reportedly falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16. His death was ruled as a result of multiple injuries from the fall, with preliminary toxicology reports revealing the presence of substances.
Bandmates and fans mourn Payne's loss
After the news of Payne's death, fans spontaneously held vigils in cities including New York, London, and Paris. His former bandmates were devastated by his passing, they said in a joint statement on the band's official Instagram account. They highlighted their love for him and the deep bond they shared, promising to cherish the memories they created together. Meanwhile, residents of Wolverhampton have been paying tribute outside St Peter's Collegiate Church with flowers and handwritten messages.
