X Factor’s Sam Bailey lifts the lid on Cheryl and Liam Payne’s romance
The singing champion empathised with the ex Girls Aloud singer who has been threatened by One Direction fans
X FACTOR star Sam Bailey has sympathised with former show judge Cheryl for the flack she gets for dating 1D hunk Liam Payne.
The pop band’s loyal followers are fiercely protective of the hunky lads and the ex Girls Aloud singer faced a fierce backlash after their romance was revealed in February.
Ex prison guard turned chart topper Sam gushed she “loved” their relationship yet added: “They’re a perfect couple – age is nothing but a number.
“It must be really hard for Cheryl because he’s got millions of fans who hate her.
“It must be really difficult getting threats.”
The pair got together after Cheryl split from French restaurateur Jean Bernard Fernandez Versini last year.
Liam confirmed their loved-up status by uploading a shot of them snuggled up before changing the words on his profile to say “happy.”
While some fans have been supportive of their age gap relationship, other die-hard 1D fans have taken the chance to slam the pretty brunette on social media.
One hit the Caps Lock key hard and wrote: “CHERYL KILLED THE REAL LIAM PAYNE,” while another passionate Liam fan added: “You need to leave Cheryl, now.
“We want the best for you baby.”
One took offence at Cheryl and Liam’s super-cute selfies and joint outings as they wrote: “WHY CANT CHERYL JUST LEAVE HIS SIDE FOR 2 SECONDS PLEASE,” while one quipped: “Cheryl babes has the ink dried on your divorce papers yet?”
Another took a rathermore personal dig and posted: “Liam Payne and Cheryl look like siblings,” followed by a confused Emoji.
The trolls’ comments don’t seem to have deterred the new lovebirds.
Cheryl has moved into the What Makes You Beautiful singer’s LA home and last month they bought their first puppy together.
Cheryl revealed their “new family member” in a Instagram post on Saturday afternoon, writing: “Our new family member… he is beyond cute.. the dog is adorable too @toosmallforteacups thank you,” followed by a love heart icon.
Meanwhile The Sun exclusively revealed Liam was distancing himself from 1D by collaborating with top grime producer Krunchie.
We were first to report he has been in mammoth late-night recording sessions with the garage man, real name Anthony Bamgboye, who has previously helped craft explicit hardcore rap tracks with MOBO winners Stormzy and Krept and Konan.
He’s also worked his magic on songs by Rita Ora, Jess Glynne and Timberland.
Despite Liam cutting ties with Simon Cowell’s record label Sam, who has herself left Syco, said: “You should never bite the hand that feeds you.
“But I think all the 1D boys have a lot of respect for Simon.
“I don’t think they’d ever say a bad word – he’s a very powerful man, so you wouldn’t.”
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