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Why Adrian Chiles attended Liam Payne's funeral as presenter shows up wearing football coat

Adrian Chiles was among the friends and family who attended Liam Payne's funeral, with the presenter wearing a West Brom coat as a sign of appreciation for the former One Direction singer

[Adrian Chiles attended former One Direction singer Liam Payne's funeral]

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Adrian Chiles attended former One Direction singer Liam Payne's funeral(Image: PA)

Adrian Chiles paid a heartwarming tribute to Liam Payne by wearing a West Bromwich Albion jacket to the singers funeral.

Paynes friends and family gathered on Wednesday morning to say goodbye to the 31-year-old, who died after he fell from the third floor of a balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16. His funeral was attended by his former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik, along with friends from the football world such as Robbie Keane and former Match of the Day 2 host Chiles.

While the majority of those mourning wore black clothing, Baggies fan Chiles donned a West Brom long-coat. Payne was a passionate football fan and a season-ticket holder at The Hawthorns.

Chiles, who now works for BBC Radio 5 live, previously revealed on the show that the pairs love for the West Midlands club bonded them. "I got to know him when he first did X Factor," said Chiles.

"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.

"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."

[England's Liam Payne]

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Liam Payne was a huge football fan(Image: PA)

[Adrian Chiles arrives at the funeral of Liam Payne]

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Adrian Chiles wore a West Brom coat in tribute (Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)

Payne rose to fame as part of UK boyband One Direction, from their formation on the X Factor in 2010 until their indefinite hiatus five years later. Having been born in nearby Wolverhampton, West Brom issued a tribute to Payne on social media following his death.

"We're shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Baggies fan and musician, Liam Payne," the club said alongside a photo of Payne at their stadium. "Our thoughts are with Liam's family, friends and loved ones at this tragic time."

Payne declared that he was a 'huge West Brom supporter' when he featured in Soccer Aid, the annual charity football match, in 2022. "I don't get to the games as often as I'd like, though," he added.

The Championship club sent Payne a customised shirt back in 2017, featuring the name of his new-born son, Bear, who he'd welcomed with fellow pop star Cheryl Cole weeks earlier.

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