Thursday marked the anniversary of Liam Payne’s death – and his sister Nicola said the last 12 months have “been unbearable” for her family, who are from Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Liam Payne’s memory is set to be immortalised forever in his home city.
A collection of “loving tributes” will be showcased at a permanent display at Wolverhampton’s City Archives, which holds vast collections including maps, books, census returns and newspapers from the area. The life of the late One Direction singer, born in Wolverhampton, will be celebrated in an exhibition there, which is understood to remain indefinitely.
Plans are reportedly in motion for this memorial, which will feature some of the hundreds of tributes left in the city by fans and locals following Liam’s death. Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of the tragedy and saw fans gather in West Park in the city to lay further tributes to the former The X-Factor star.
Previous tributes, left in the wake of the passing in late 2024, were sent off to be restored. A spokesperson for City of Wolverhampton Council told The Sun yesterday: “We are currently waiting for the materials to be returned from our restorer, and then we will need to have discussions with Liam’s family as to how they would wish to proceed.”
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Bosses at City of Wolverhampton Council, controlled by Labour since 2011, are now expected to talk with Liam’s family about a suitable tribute to their son, who grew up around the Newbridge area of the city.
A City of Wolverhampton Council spokesperson previously told The Sun: “Following Liam’s tragic passing, hundreds if not thousands of tributes were left for him by fans at a memorial in the city.
“After his funeral, we respectfully collected and preserved these items which have since been shared with Liam’s family at their request.
“When the time is right for them, we plan to host a display of some of the items at the City Archives so fans and visitors to Wolverhampton can see for themselves some of the loving tributes left for Liam who is one of our city’s greatest stars.”
Among the fans who gathered around the bandstand at West Park on Thursday, an Italian woman called Carmen left flowers in Liam’s memory. She said: “He meant a lot of things to me. I still listen to his songs. He helped me through sad moments.”
Speaking to Hits Radio News: West Midlands, another fan named Sarah added: “Liam is a Black Country boy and that is where it hits me hard.
“I am not a crazy, crazy One Direction fan where I am obsessed, but I have always followed them. It is such a shame that someone so talented ended this way. He is one of our own.”