Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor – where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was ‘really cute’ eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

As a bystander to this heartwrenching tale of love and loss, I find myself deeply moved by the journey of Liam Payne and Cheryl. Their story is one that mirrors the complexities of life itself – filled with joy, pain, growth, and ultimately, acceptance.


Liam Payne initially encountered Cheryl, who later became the mother of his child, at his X Factor audition in 2008 when he was still a teenager. They didn’t start their romantic relationship until eight years later, in 2016, and it lasted for approximately two and a half years.

Previously a member of One Direction, now aged 31, tragically passed away following an apparent fall from the third floor of the Casa Sur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on a Wednesday.

His final Snapchat posts earlier the day showed him happily posing with his bikini-clad partner Kate Cassidy as they looked into a mirror. 

Earlier this month, it was seen that the musician attended a concert by his ex-bandmate, Niall Horan, in the country.

I’ve been in a loving relationship with Kate since last October, but my notable romance was with Cheryl, who is 10 years older than me and mother to our 7-year-old son, Bear, whom we share.

Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

Although they didn’t start dating until 2016, Liam and Cheryl actually crossed paths as early as 2008; their first encounter was even caught on film.

Before the era of One Direction began, Liam previously auditioned for The X Factor as a self-assured and cheeky 14-year-old, during Cheryl’s first year on the judging panel.

Immediately, there was a strong connection between them. Already, Liam was trying to win over the charming Geordie lady by giving her a self-assured wink as he sang “Fly Me To The Moon,” and adding, “In essence, darling, just kiss me.

In her enthusiasm for his abilities, Cheryl praised him by saying, “I find you quite appealing, and I sense a charm about you. You often toss a playful wink our way.

Looking back years later, I, a die-hard fan, can’t help but reminisce about the momentous encounter between Liam and Cheryl. I find myself replaying in my mind their budding romance, and the infamous wink he flashed at her, a move that would forever be etched in the annals of their story.

He confessed, “At school, my friends mercilessly teased me for what I did. Now that I’m 23 and with her, they’re unusually silent in the room. I’ve never known them to be this quiet!

Liam earned a strong affirmative response from the judges, advancing to the Boot Camp phase. However, during the final selection before the Live Shows, he was eliminated by Simon, the Boys’ category coach.

However, his X Factor adventure didn’t stop there; two years later, at age 16, he came back to give it another shot and advance even further in the competition.

Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

He wowed the judges with his performance of Julie London’s Cry Me A River and impressed Cheryl again, as she praised: ‘You’ve definitely got it, whatever “it” is, you’ve got it. I thought your voice was really, really powerful.’

In a segment for Esquire in May 2020, while rewatching his initial audition, Liam looked back on their first encounter and commented, “It’s time we talk about the obvious situation.

It’s clear that the woman in the chair will be my son’s future mother. In terms of this ‘How I Met Your Mother’ scenario, I believe I’ve said enough about it for now.

At the outset of his time with One Direction, Liam openly expressed his admiration for the popular Girls Aloud member, frequently mentioning her as his favorite celebrity during interviews.

But despite going on to reach global fame and success, he never saw his chances of dating her as at all likely.

Afterward, he experienced a romantic relationship with Sophia Smith, while Cheryl suffered through a distressing divorce with Ashley Cole. Later, she found love in Tre Holloway and ultimately married Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini.

In late 2015, both of their romantic connections came to an end approximately two months apart from one another. This timely occurrence paved the way for them to ultimately become a couple.

On the Graham Norton Show in May 2017, Liam disclosed that Niall Horan, his ex-bandmate, and renowned music producer Simon Cowell played a significant role in introducing the two lovebirds, which happened in the spring of 2016.

Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

Speaking with Simon about his feelings for Cheryl, Liam mentioned how attractive he found her. Later on, it was Niall who revealed, “Can you believe who has a crush on you?

It seems he was present with Cheryl when Simon revealed to her that I harbored feelings for her. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, causing her to abruptly exit the room.

On Straight Talking with Ant Middleton, he shared more about their meeting. He mentioned, “I visited Simon’s place and joked about how striking I found Cheryl. Simon responded by predicting, ‘It seems someone will soon become Mrs. Payne!’

After finding myself at a local tavern, Niall walked in and shared the news that Cheryl had feelings for me. I responded with a mix of surprise and confusion, saying something along the lines of, “Cheryl? You mean Cheryl?

He told me that he reached out to her and subsequently spent numerous occasions together. Moreover, he mentioned with gentleness that he won the most seasons of X Factor.

Back in 2018, I found myself in an intriguing situation where I had the pleasure of disclosing that it was none other than Cheryl who took the initiative in our relationship. As I shared our story, I detailed the clever approach she employed to capture my attention.

On the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, Nick Grimshaw challenged Liam by presenting a series of statements supposedly about him and sought his confirmation as to their accuracy.

He asked: ‘Liam does not like a girl to make the first move’ to which Liam objected: ‘I don’t know about that. I’m into it.

Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

To put it simply, she was the one who initiated things between us, as I must admit. She playfully touched my hair, and that made me believe she had feelings for me. And now, several years have passed…

In March 2016, the pair made their relationship public on Instagram when Liam posted a picture of them, clearly smitten, and later referred to her as his “favorite woman in the world.

60 days subsequently, they achieved another significant step in their celebrity relationship by gracing the red carpet together for the first time at the Cannes Film Festival. They exuded elegance and affection, captivating the attention of the global media as they posed side by side.

In December, Cheryl went to a Christmas carol service alongside Liam. At this occasion, she made quite an impression as she walked in wearing a snug-fitting khaki-green maternity dress, which highlighted her noticeable baby bump. This caught the attention of many on the internet.

However, it was only on March 25, 2017 that Cheryl officially announced her baby news, following the birth of their son, Bear, as she posted a picture showing Liam cradling the newborn and making the thrilling revelation.

On the 22nd of March, Wednesday, Liam and I welcomed a stunningly beautiful and healthy baby boy into our lives, tipping the scales at 7 lb 9 oz. As of now, he remains nameless, yet he’s already captivating everyone around him with his charm.

1) “We’re deeply smitten and overjoyed beyond measure with our new addition. On this special occasion of Mother’s Day, I want to express my heartfelt congratulations to all mothers worldwide. From now on, this day carries an entirely unique significance for me.

As Liam shared his personal tribute, he expressed: ‘Among my dear companions and relatives, it’s rare that I find myself at a loss for words… amazement! I am overjoyed to announce the arrival of our newest family member, our little boy.’

Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

This special moment is etched deeply into my memory and stands out as my most cherished experience yet. I am utterly amazed by her exceptional strength and unwavering support throughout it all; she’s truly brought my dreams to life.

However, eleven months down the line, the initial happiness and lighthearted stories associated with new parenthood were overshadowed by persistent whispers suggesting a breakup in their relationship. These rumors arose due to them allegedly spending progressively less time together.

They decided to demonstrate their enduring bond at the BRIT Awards, appearing arm-in-arm at London’s O2 Arena and engaging in public displays of affection (PDA). They even jokingly referenced their lively romantic escapades.

Amidst rumors that their display of unity might have been staged, the pair sat comfortably at their table, taking in the beginning of the event. Suddenly, host Jack Whitehall chose them for a live interview broadcasted to ITV’s audience at home.

Regarding Liam’s rendition of “For You” for the soundtrack of Fifty Shades Freed, Jack playfully hinted at the film’s dominant-submissive theme.

He inquired if you’ll be performing a song from the Fifty Shades movie later, as things might get rather explicit… does ‘safe word’ mean anything to you for such a situation?

Later, Liam gestured toward Cheryl and said, “She knows our safe word,” to which the ex-member of Girls Aloud responded, “Keep going!

Despite their enthusiastic actions, which raised doubts about the authenticity of their relationship due to speculation that it wouldn’t last long, friends have suggested to The Sun that their public display of affection could merely be a calculated act.

Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

According to a source, Liam and Cheryl have been trying to mask their relationship issues by acting extra affectionate, only a few days after speculation about their potential separation surfaced in the media.

In March, Liam revealed they were experiencing difficulties in their relationship, confiding to ES magazine from the Evening Standard: “The most amusing part was a week prior to our planned wedding. A week later, we were separating. What I find intriguing is, I prefer to believe we’re somewhere in between.

It’s clear that we face challenges in our relationship, as no one’s life is always perfect. We all experience ups and downs, and that’s what makes a relationship meaningful.

In an interview with Hashtag Legend, he confessed that the arrival of his son in May made him feel excluded, expressing that ‘a mother and child bond is the most heartwarming sight, but it’s incredibly intimate – a connection you can never fully share.’

Many fathers might feel sidelined in this regard. However, I didn’t experience that feeling of being sidelined, but rather found myself wondering, “Where do I belong here?” I was eager to understand my role and purpose.

At last, in June, they shared the heart-wrenching news of their separation after two and a half blissful years. The announcement was as follows: “With a heavy heart, we confirm our paths are diverging. This choice wasn’t easy for either of us.

‘Our family’s love remains incredibly strong, and Bear is an integral part of our lives. We humbly request your understanding and compassion as we journey through these challenging times, by giving him the space he needs for privacy.’

Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear
Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

In a heartfelt conversation with Ant Middleton, I shared my thoughts on our separation: “Under the strain of constant pressure, our lives became a whirlwind of work, endless shouting, and a baby to care for. Over time, we found ourselves drifting further apart.

I had concerns about managing care for both of them since we’re apart, but she remains one of the most vital individuals, perhaps even the most significant, in my world.

Despite the physical distance, Cheryl remains a constant presence in my life, empathizing with me as I navigate my challenges.

In my previous relationships, what I often lacked was an understanding of her emotions towards specific topics. However, I came to realize that while I aimed to shield her, there was another aspect of her personality that sought to safeguard me as well.

After their separation, it seemed they maintained a strong bond, as they continued to share parental responsibilities for their child.

Liam confessed: “We really connect well, and there are numerous similarities between our lives. I truly wish her all the joy she deserves, for she is indeed a wonderful mother, and she puts in a lot of effort. She truly deserves to be happy.

After careful consideration, her transitioning with another person has been a subject of deep reflection. For the time being, we’ll both find our own ways to cope, and I’m at peace with that. I can engage in various activities, such as watching TV, and everything seems alright and enjoyable.

Moment Liam Payne and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor - where he gave her cheeky wink and she gushed he was 'really cute' eight years before they struck up romance and welcomed son Bear

On the Impaulsive podcast, he commended Cheryl for her parenting skills and added that their friendship has continued to flourish.

He said: ‘She is the best mum in the world. I couldn’t ask for someone better.’

He went on: We broke up for a reason and now she gives me full autonomy of my life and to do what I do and I know he’s [Bear’s] taken care of. 

‘He holds her heart entirely, and I couldn’t be happier. They reside just a short walk from my home. I can’t seem to tear myself away from him. My existence revolves around him now. His needs are mine to fulfill. He’s an exceptional young man. We have been truly fortunate.’

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2024-10-17 12:52

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