Liam Payne's body flown home with dad Geoff accompanying him on same flight

Liam Payne’s body was returned home yesterday after his tragic death in Argentina last month. The ITV The X Factor star’s dad Geoff was also on the flight into Heathrow — with the body then transferred to West Bromwich Albion FC fan Liam’s home town in the Black Country.

A source said to the Sun newspaper: “Plans are in motion for Liam’s funeral and a date has been set. His family are determined to keep things as private as ­possible to allow them to grieve but also understand the global interest.”

A source close to Liam’s family previously told The Sun newspaper in the wake of the tragedy in Buenos Aires in Argentina: “Geoff is living every parent’s worst nightmare. He has been so moved by the outpouring of love and the tributes that have come in from across the world.”

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Liam, 31, fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16. His family previously told The Sun said: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”

Payne became part of One Direction after appearing on British reality show The X Factor as a teenager. The group, which also starred Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson, went on to sell more than 70 million record across the globe.

The group split in 2016 and Payne, during his later years, opened up about struggles with his mental health. He said that during the height of the band’s fame he began using alcohol and an epilepsy drug as a mood stabiliser to counter the “erratic highs and lows” he was experiencing.

Payne’s father, Geoff, travelled to Buenos Aires after his son’s death. He met fans and visited the British Cemetery in the South American city.