Liam Payne's pal Ben Winston shares unseen pics of singer in heartfelt tribute: 'Most special guy'

Ben Winston posted an emotional tribute on Instagram after Liam Payne's private funeral attended by friends and family in Amersham, England on November 20
UPDATED NOV 21, 2024
Ben Winston, a close friend of Liam Payne, shared an emotional tribute to the late One Direction star on Instagram (Getty Images)
Ben Winston, a close friend of Liam Payne, shared an emotional tribute to the late One Direction star on Instagram (Getty Images)

AMERSHAM, ENGLAND: Ben Winston, a close friend of Liam Payne, has posted an emotional tribute to the former One Direction star, sharing unseen photos and reflecting on their close relationship.

More than a month following Payne's untimely passing, the singer was interred in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family in Amersham, England on November 20.

Ben Winston shares unseen photos of Liam Payne in emotional tribute

Shortly after Liam Payne's funeral, Ben Winston, famed for his contributions to One Direction's music videos and documentary, posted a collection of photographs on Instagram, chronicling his shared experiences with Liam over the years.

He captioned the post writing, "Today we remember, mourn and celebrate, the most special wonderful guy who truly lit up every room he was in, with a kindness, goodness, and boyish enthusiasm, that was as infectious as it was pure and beautiful."


 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Ben Winston (@mrbenwinston)


 

The director released a series of never-before-seen photographs of Payne, chronicling his journey as he became one-fifth of the world's most famous boyband.

One photograph captured Payne and Winston in a selfie during a tour, while another depicted Payne portraying the character Leeroy in the music video for 'Best Song Ever'.

Liam Payne attends the British Vogue And Tiffany & Co. Celebrate Fashion And Film Party 2023 at Annabel's on February 19, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Liam Payne attends the British Vogue And Tiffany & Co Celebrate Fashion And Film Party 2023 at Annabel's on February 19, 2023, in London, England (David M Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

One memorable image captured Payne performing at a sold-out stadium during One Direction's 'Where We Are Tour', where the band played to thousands of fans nightly, belting out their greatest hits. Winston was among the mourners at the funeral, arriving alongside Harry Styles.

Liam Payne made generous donations to individuals in need

Throughout his career, Liam Payne leveraged his influence to elevate awareness for organizations including The Trussell Trust, Once Upon A Time, and, more recently, Great Ormond Street Hospital, as reported by Mirror.

In the hours preceding his passing, Payne dedicated time to donating to individuals seeking medical assistance on their GoFundMe pages.

AMERSHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: A horse drawn hearse arrives for the funeral of singer Liam Payne, former member of One Direction on November 20, 2024 in Amersham, United Kingdom. Former One Direction star Liam Payne's private funeral in Amersham has been widely anticipated to draw celebrities and fans alike, wishing to pay their final respects. The singer died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
A horse-drawn hearse arrives for the funeral of singer Liam Payne, former member of One Direction on November 20, 2024, in Amersham, United Kingdom (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

He also contributed a significant amount to Jack, a 28-year-old chef unemployed due to a diagnosis of Stage 4 B Cell Lymphoma. At his funeral, attendees were touched by memories of his kindness and generosity.

One Direction members honor Liam Payne's life

Harry Styles and the members of One Direction gathered in London to bid farewell to Liam Payne. Mourners came together to pay tribute to Payne's life, renowned for his musical achievements and philanthropic work.

AMERSHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Simon Cowell is comforted by Geoff Payne (L) as they depart the funeral for singer Liam Payne, former member of One Direction, on November 20, 2024 in Amersham, England. Former One Direction star Liam Payne's private funeral in Amersham has been widely anticipated to draw celebrities and fans alike, wishing to pay their final respects. The singer died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Simon Cowell is comforted by Geoff Payne as they depart the funeral for singer Liam Payne, a former member of One Direction, on November 20, 2024, in Amersham, England (Karwai Tang/WireImage)

The funeral concluded around 2 pm, with mourners congregating outside the church in a poignant expression of sorrow. Former One Direction members were seen supporting one another post-service, while Simon Cowell offered consolation to friends and family.

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