Former BBC and ITV presenter Adrian Chiles paid a touching tribute to the late Liam Payne as he attended his funeral on Wednesday.
The 57-year-old donned a West Bromwich Albion jacket to the funeral as the 31-year-old’s family, friends and former One Direction stars paid their respects to the singer, who tragically died last month.
The singer fell from a third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16.
Fans from around the world were left shocked by the tragedy, with several stars also speaking out about Payne’s untimely death as well as the pressures of fame on young people.
The 31-year-old’s fellow bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Makik attended his funeral, as well as football stars such as Robbie Keane.
Former Match of the Day 2 host Chiles wore the football club’s coat in honour of his late friend and fellow West Brom fan.
One Direction star Liam Payne tragically died last month in Argentina
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The presenter now hosts BBC Radio 5 live, and recently said on-air how he and Payne had bonded over their support of the West Midlands club.
“I got to know him when he first did X Factor,” he detailed following Payne’s death.
Chiles continued by telling listeners: “He came up to me and said ‘up the Albion’ – he was a West Brom fan.
“Just as a sign as to how massive he was, I remember we snuck him into a Boxing Day game and I think his mum and dad came and sat with me.
Adrian Chiles paid a special tribute to Liam Payne at his funeral on Wednesday
PA
“But we managed to secrete our man up in the commentary gantry so he didn’t get bothered. Then a friend of mine texted me to ask, ‘Why are West Brom trending number one on Twitter?’
“I went, ‘Well it could be because Liam Payne is here and he tweeted he was here and the whole world went mad for it.'”
Payne found fame in the boyband formed by Simon Cowell on X Factor back in 2010, with the band achieving global success.
The Wolverhampton-born singer was a keen football fan, with West Brom having issued a tribute to the star following his death.
Taking to social media, a post on the club’s official account read: “We’re shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Baggies fan and musician, Liam Payne.
“Our thoughts are with Liam’s family, friends and loved ones at this tragic time.”
Adrian Chiles shared a football connection with the late Liam Payne
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Payne’s love of the club was evident, with the musician calling himself a “huge West Brom supporter” when he starred in charity football match Soccer Aid.
He took part in the star-studded game in 2022, where he added: “I don’t get to the games as often as I’d like, though.”
The club had once sent Payne a customised shirt, featuring the name of his new-born son, Bear, in 2017.
