Liam Payne funeral latest as fans start to leave tributes outside Wolverhampton church

Liam Payne fans have left a wave of tributes outside a church where his funeral could be held. Directioners from across the Midlands have been left devastated following news of his tragic death.

The 31-year-old's funeral is expected to take place in the coming week, with reports suggesting it could be held in his home city of Wolverhampton. Payne grew up in Bushbury, while his family continue to live nearby in Codsall, South Staffordshire.

Although details of the service have not been released, it is understood it could take place at St. Peter's Collegiate Church. Fans have since built a shrine of tributes around the Lady Wulfrun statue, which sits outside the church.

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Flowers, balloons, cards and photographs of Payne now surround the statue. Cuddly toys and candles have also been placed at the scene by grieving fans.

One fan left a note with the words: "Goodbyes are bittersweet. But it's not the end. I'll see your face again." The lyrics are from One Direction's Walking in the Wind.

Another penned a heartfelt letter, signing it off with the words "fly high". Payne died in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16.

The dad-of-one was in the capital with their girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, before she decided to return to her Florida home alone. Payne remained in the area but died when he fell from the balcony of his third-floor room at the CasaSur Palermo hotel.

His dad, Geoff, flew out to Buenos Aires in the aftermath of his son's death. Preparations to repatriate Payne's body are understood to now be underway.

According to reports, a number of celebrity friends are planning to attend a 'huge' service paying tribute to the former ITV The X Factor star. There have been suggestions that his former One Direction bandmates - Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson - could reunite at the service.

Payne was the dad of seven-year-old son Bear, who he shared with ex-girlfriend Chery Cole.