proud parents
Cheryl and Liam Payne last reunited in public three years ago as devoted parents took son Bear to birthday party
Cheryl is reported to have 'feared the worst' for Liam ahead of his death
LIAM Payne last reunited in public with ex-girlfriend Cheryl three years ago to take their son Bear to a birthday party.
The former couple got together in 2016 before splitting in 2018 following the birth of Bear, now seven.
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Liam Payne - who died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires - was last seen with the Girls Aloud singer in 2021 when they took their son to a birthday party for his sister's daughter.
They were seen at her home in Wolverhampton to celebrate Liam's niece's first birthday.
Despite the reunion coming three years after they'd split, Cheryl and Liam appeared happy in each other's company.
It came during a brief split from his then-fiance Maya Henry.
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Around the time of the party, Liam called Cheryl "literally the best person to co-parent with".
He told Glamour: "No stress involved. It's very, very relaxed, and we spend a lot of time on FaceTime.
"It's been really lovely, and I'm closer to them than I've ever been before, actually, which is really, really nice."
Following the news of Liam's death this week it was reported Cheryl had previously "feared the worst" for him and feared "nobody was looking out for him".
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In August last year, the 1D singer had to cancel his tour and take a break from performing after he was rushed to hospital with a serious kidney infection.
A source claiming to be close to the Girls Aloud star told at the time: "Cheryl is really worried about Liam.
Liam Payne says Cheryl wants son Bear to ‘become a yogi’ and not have showbiz career
It comes as...
- Liam may have been 'unconscious' as he fell from the balcony
- Harry Styles posts emotional tribute to Liam
- Hotel guests heard 'violent noises & scream'
- 'We let you down' says Sharon Osbourne
- Liam was 'dropped by his record label' days before he died
- Simon Cowell steps down from BGT after Liam's death
- 'I lost a brother' says Zayn Malik as he shares a tribute
- Louis Tomlinson says he's 'devastated' by Liam's death
"As soon as she heard he was in hospital, she feared the worst.
"She's really protective of him and is worried no one is actually looking out for him."
Inside Liam Payne and Cheryl's romance
By Joanne Kavanagh, Showbiz Reporter
It was a romance that caused a media storm.
One Direction hunk Liam Payne was only 14 when he met former X Factor judge Cheryl during the show in 2008.
But it wasn't until 2016 - when the Girls Aloud singer was divorcing her second husband - that the pair got together despite their ten-year age gap.
The couple made their relationship official in May of that year when they appeared at Eva Longoria's Global Gift Gala in Paris.
In 2017, Liam paid a sweet tribute to his girlfriend by getting a tattoo of her eye on his arm.
Cheryl was pregnant at the time and gave birth to a boy on March 22, 2017.
She posted a picture on Instagram of Liam cradling their 7lb 9oz baby and captioned: "On Wednesday Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy looking like a dream."
One pal told The Sun: "Liam didn't leave Cheryl's side throughout the birth, and like her, he is besotted with their new son and can't wait to take him home.
"This is the perfect Mother's Day for Cheryl."
The Sun revealed in May 2017 that the couple named their son Bear.
They decided on the unusual name after spending a week getting to know him.
In February 2018, The Sun broke the news that Liam's constant travelling to promote his solo career had placed a huge strain on the relationship, and the pair were ready to split.
That same month, as she shrugged off questions about her crumbling romance with Liam during a BBC Breakfast interview.
They then put on a united front together at the Brit Awards where they smiled on the red carpet and Cheryl joked about the couple's 'safe word'.
However, by July 2018, Cheryl and Liam made the decision to split.
A pal told The Sun: "Cheryl and Liam worked really hard on their relationship – they had troubles earlier this year and were able to get through them.
"But they're in different stages of their lives and, after a lot of careful thought, came to a decision that it's best for everyone if they do go their separate ways."
Liam and Cheryl released a statement confirming their break-up which read: "We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make.
"We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together."
Liam admitted turning to alcohol and drugs as he struggled to cope with One Direction's dizzying levels of fame — which would spark panic attacks and exhaustion.
Liam passed away on Wednesday 16th October after he tragically plunged from the third floor of his hotel room of Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo.
The spokesperson for the local ambulance service said Liam's death had been confirmed on the spot after he had fallen and suffered severe injuries.
A post-mortem has revealed that his injuries led to “internal and external haemorrhaging”.
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Yesterday emergency services said the singer died instantly from multiple injuries including a fractured skull.
Last night his One Direction bandmates Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson posted a joint statement sharing their grief over his death.
Niall has since posted a separate tribute, writing: "I'm absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn't feel real.
"Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness.
"We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a lifetime.
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"I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn't know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking.
"My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear."
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction's camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing 'Just a boy...' alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: "Such an awful tragedy.
"Sending love to his family and all those who loved him."
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was "devastated" and "lost for words";.
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x".
Liam Gallagher said he was "very sad" and told his followers on X: "Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy."
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the "devastating news" on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: ";I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
"We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
";Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP."
Niall Horan's brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a "top young man".
He added: "You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
"My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
"10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x"
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: "RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…"
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: "I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
"He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone...
"I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry..."
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: "RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family."
In another tweet, they added: "Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne."
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: "So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend."
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam's tragic death on Instagram, adding: "Can't believe this! RIP Liam."
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: "I'm so taken aback, rest in peace."
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a "loving and kind soul".
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: "Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
"I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x."
Payne previously appeared on Cordon's The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall - who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part - described him as "the first friend I made in this industry".
She said: "We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
"Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we'd 'make it'. I hope you are at peace now".
Camila Cabello described his death as a "tragedy" and said he "made an impression" on her when she was a young girl.
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