A Love Story That Began Years After Their First Meeting

Liam Payne first met Cheryl Cole when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2008 at just 14 years old, facing judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh, and Cheryl. While he didn’t make it through that year, Liam returned two years later to join One Direction, skyrocketing to fame. It wasn’t until 2015, seven years after their initial meeting, that their relationship began to blossom into something more than friendship.

Reflecting on their first meeting during a 2020 interview with Esquire, Liam said, “Let’s address the elephant in the room. Obviously, the future mother of my son is sitting in that chair.” His remark turned into a humorous nod to the start of their unexpected love story.

Becoming a Couple and Public Debut

In December 2015, Liam and Cheryl reconnected at The X Factor finale. By May 2016, the couple made their relationship public when they walked the red carpet together at the Global Gift Gala, where Cheryl received the Global Gift Philanthropist Award. The couple’s 10-year age gap made headlines, but their chemistry was undeniable.

The Arrival of Baby Bear

After months of speculation, Cheryl confirmed her pregnancy in February 2017 with a stunning photo for a L'Oreal and Princes Trust campaign. Just one month later, on March 22, 2017, Liam and Cheryl welcomed their baby boy, Bear, into the world. Cheryl announced the birth on Instagram with a heartwarming photo of Liam cradling their newborn son, describing how he had already stolen their hearts.

Liam echoed her joy in his own post, sharing his overwhelming love for both Cheryl and Bear. He expressed, “I’m incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world. It’s a moment I’ll never forget, and I’m in awe of Cheryl for how she handled everything.”

The Breakup and Co-Parenting Bear

In July 2018, after two years together, Liam and Cheryl announced their split. Liam took to social media to express that while it was a tough decision, they still held deep love for each other as a family and were committed to co-parenting Bear. "Bear is our world," he wrote, asking for privacy during this transition.

Liam later shared on the Impaulsive podcast that becoming a father had impacted their relationship. He revealed that while the experience was overwhelming, it was also one of the most meaningful chapters of his life. “It ruined a relationship for me at that point, but for all the right reasons,” he admitted, praising Cheryl for being an exceptional mother to Bear.

Life After the Split and Liam’s Sobriety Journey

After their breakup, Liam and Cheryl worked together to ensure that Bear’s needs were always the priority. Cheryl, who tends to keep her home life private, shared in 2019 that Liam is "softer" than she is when it comes to parenting, but she was comfortable with their different approaches. Both parents emphasized their dedication to creating a stable, loving environment for Bear.

In 2023, Liam revealed that he had spent 100 days in a treatment facility to focus on his mental health and sobriety, staying six months sober afterward. He credited Cheryl and Bear for supporting his journey toward wellness, sharing in a YouTube video how grateful he was for the freedom to take care of himself.

Liam also emphasized that his son remains his greatest priority. “There’s no point trying to be a dad when you’ve got nothing to teach,” he said, adding that his time away allowed him to become a better father and person.

Co-Parenting in Harmony

Though they are no longer together, Liam and Cheryl continue to co-parent Bear with respect and love. Both have spoken highly of each other’s parenting skills, with Liam expressing deep gratitude for Cheryl’s role as Bear’s mother. Living just a few minutes apart, they’ve created a supportive environment for their son, ensuring that he is always at the center of their lives.