In stark contrast to his usual gaffes while discussing his ex Cheryl, Liam Payne paid a touching tribute to her last week, admitting he will find it hard to see her move on with another man – and even refusing to rule out a romantic reunion between them.
Speaking to adventurer Ant Middleton in his documentary, Liam Payne: Straight Talking, the former One Direction star revealed how his struggles with global fame – after joining the band aged just 16 – had led him to alcoholism, and even contemplating suicide.
Pouring his heart out to Ant, Liam, 26, stressed it is his ex who he turns to during his “bad days”, revealing, “Cheryl is always there for me. I’m lucky enough to have someone who understands what I go through. She’s one of the most important people – if not the most important person – in my life.”
In the interview, filmed earlier this year, Liam even admitted he struggles with the idea of Cheryl, 36 – mum of their two-year-old son Bear – getting another boyfriend. Then, when asked if they would get back together, Liam teased, “If she plays her cards right.”
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And insiders say his kind words have comforted Cheryl at a stressful time, as her nemesis and ex Girls Aloud bandmate Nadine Coyle – who the former X Factor judge once branded as “full of s**t” – enters the I’m A Celeb! jungle.
A source says, “Cheryl was the biggest star to come out of Girls Aloud – but she’s nervous that Nadine could win over the public and knock her down in the process, airing her side to the story of their long-running bitterness, without Cheryl getting to reply. She is feeling particularly vulnerable at the moment, and as Liam is the person she speaks to the most – they’re sometimes in touch daily, making arrangements around Bear – she confided in him over how she’s feeling. There’s a real closeness between them right now.”
CHECK OUT Liam and Cheryl's relationship timeline
RADIO Cheryl and Liam relationship timeline slider with cover pic
1 of 31Swipe through to see Cheryl and Liam Payne's complete relationship timeline...
2 of 31December 2015
During the final of The X Factor 2015, when Cheryl was a judge on the show, Liam was spotted dancing with the singer to Jason Derulo's track 'Talk Dirty To Me' after the show ended. Despite looking very friendly together, nobody suspected a relationship between the two.
3 of 31February 2016
Cheryl uploaded a photo of herself getting ready for The BRIT Awards in 2017, with Liam commenting on her photo with the cheeky caption, 'See you there babe!'.
4 of 31February 2016
Despite rumours circulating that the pair could be dating, Cheryl and Liam walked the BRITs red carpet separately in 2016. Instead, Liam was joined by his former One Direction band mate Louis Tomlinson.
5 of 31February 2016
It's official! On the last day of February in 2016, Liam and Cheryl made their relationship public when Liam updated his social media photos to this cute snap.The singer also updated his social media bios to read, 'Happy'.
6 of 31March 2016
Cheryl and Liam went Instagram official when Liam uploaded this photo of the pair posing in the back of a car.
7 of 31March 2016
Liam sent 'Cheriam' fans into complete meltdown when he shared a photo of Cheryl to his social media accounts to celebrate International Women's Day.Alongside the photo, he wrote the cute caption of, 'Happy #internationalwomensday to my favourite woman in the world ud83dude18ud83dude18 hope I make you as happy as u make me X'. [sic]
8 of 31March 2016
Cheryl and Liam made their first public appearance together in March 2016. Looking incredibly loved up, the pair enjoyed a meal together at a restaurant in London, with Cheryl sporting a massive necklace with the word 'love'.
9 of 31April 2016
After only a few months of dating, Cheryl's friend and former X Factor boss Simon Cowell spoke about her romance with Liam.He said, "I saw them together and we had a really nice dinner [...] They were on good form. They're like two little chipmunks madly in love. Literally they were so cute. But importantly they both seemed very happy over here and very relaxed. I'm happy for them."
10 of 31July 2016
Cheryl and Liam moved in together, with Cheryl announcing the news with a funny message on Instagram. Sharing this photo of Liam with her beloved dog, she wrote, 'Our new family member ud83dudc36ud83dude01ud83dude0dud83dude2d he is beyond cute.. ud83dude29 the dog is adorable too ud83dude0f @toosmallforteacups thank you ❤ufe0f. [sic]
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11 of 31May 2016
Cheryl and Liam made their first ever red carpet appearance during the Global Gift Gala in Paris, France.Gazing into each other's eyes, the couple looked more loved up than ever.
12 of 31May 2016
Liam posted a selfie of the pair on a private jet travelling to France ahead of the Cannes Film Festival.
13 of 31May 2016
The couple made their second red carpet appearance in just one month when they appeared at the Cannes Film Festival.Liam was supporting Cheryl who was attending the event as part of her brand ambassador role for L'Oreal.
14 of 31October 2016
Cheryl's divorce from her ex-husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini was finalised, with the former couple being granted a 'quickie divorce'.
15 of 31September 2016
Rumours started in the press that Cheryl was pregnant with Liam's child after she was spotted with a 'fuller figure' at a L'Oreal event in Paris.
16 of 31September 2016
Liam fueled the pregnancy rumours even further when he changed his Instagram bio to read, 'The luckiest man alive'. He then uploaded this cute photo of the pair wearing face masks, declaring how much he misses his girlfriend. He wrote, 'I miss you!...the things you make me doud83eudd13ud83dude0b home soon!'.
17 of 31November 2016
After months of rumours surrounding her pregnancy, Cheryl and Liam seemed to confirm them when they stepped out hand-in-hand at the Fayre of St James' Christmas Concert in London.Cheryl made the decision to leave her long coat open as she 'showed off' her small baby bump to fans and press.
18 of 31February 2017
It's official - Cheryl and Liam are having a baby! After not attending The BRIT Awards in 2017, Cheryl seemed to confirm her pregnancy once and for all when she posed in a photo holding her large bump for a new L'Oreal campaign.
19 of 31December 2016
Amidst all of the rumours, Cheryl and Liam posted some playful selfies to their social media accounts to celebrate their first ever Christmas together.
20 of 31March 2017
After months of speculation, Cheryl and Liam confirmed to the world that they've welcomed a baby boy called Bear Grey Payne.Revealing he was born on Wednesday 22nd March, Cheryl wrote, 'Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy, weighing 7lb 9 and looking like a dream. Although he still doesn't have a name he is already stealing hearts. We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers around the world. A day that now has a different meaning to me forever ud83dudc99'. [sic]
21 of 31June 2017
Breaking her social media silence for the first time since welcoming baby Bear, Cheryl uploaded a snap of Liam to wish him a Happy Father's Day.She wrote, 'Happy 1st Father's Day Liam.. You are the most amazing daddy and the best example for our son. The way he looks at you says it all. Your relationship melts my heart. You are the centre of his world & We adore you ud83dudc3bud83cudf0eud83dudc99'.
22 of 31July 2017
After months of staying out of the public eye, Cheryl shared a cute photo of herself and Liam enjoying a date night without baby Bear.
23 of 31October 2017
As Liam started to release his debut solo music, including songs like 'Strip That Down', 'Get Low' and 'Bedroom Floor', Cheryl couldn't resist gushing about her man's handsome looks.Sharing this photo, Cheryl wrote, 'I had to .. I mean ud83dudc40 come onnnn ud83dude29ud83dude0d'.
24 of 31February 2018
After months of no social posts and no public appearances, fans started to think Liam and Cheryl were having relationship issues.That was until Liam posted this adorable photo of his son Bear to help wish Cheryl a Happy Valentine's Day. He wrote, 'Happy Valentine's Day @cherylofficial and everyone. looks like I've got the big guy to compete with now ud83eudd37ud83cudffb♂ufe0fud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02'.
25 of 31February 2018
Stories in the press suggested Liam and Cheryl's relationship had come to an end due to the pair's busy work schedules.
26 of 31February 2018
Cheryl sent fans into meltdown when she appeared to be wearing an engagement ring on her ring finger as she met Prince Charles.Representatives for the couple later explained Cheryl's choice of jewellery was simply 'costume jewellery'.
27 of 31February 2018
Shutting down split rumours, the couple attended The BRIT Awards 2018 together, putting on a very loved up display on the red carpet.
28 of 31February 2018
After certain news outlets claimed Cheryl and Liam's public display of affection at The BRIT Awards 2018 was a 'stunt', Cheryl angrily hit back on Twitter, calling it 'ludicrous and weird'.
29 of 31May 2018
Liam spent a lot of time in America as he promoted his solo music, leaving Cheryl and Bear at home.
30 of 31June 2018
After not being seen together for four months, fans started to speculate a split when Liam failed to publicly address Cheryl's birthday on the 30th June.
31 of 31July 2018
After two years together, on Sunday 1st July both Cheryl and Liam announced they had split. Releasing a joint statement on Twitter, it 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.' [sic
Liam’s words surprised Cheryl, as he has a habit of making reckless statements when discussing their relationship. He recently told singer Jessie Ware on her podcast Table Manners that he was frightened of Cheryl’s temper. He also called his current girlfriend of just two months, 19-year-old model Maya Henry, his “true love”, and credited her with being “relaxed”, while suggesting that Cheryl’s “struggle to get out the front door” due to anxiety had contributed to their split.
The source adds, “Although Liam can infuriate Cheryl by speaking out about their romance, she felt this most recent interview was quite sweet. She much prefers that side of him to the macho bravado he sometimes puts on for the public.
“They have a strong bond over their son. She always wanted a family, not just a baby, and when they’re at home – just the three of them – of course it makes her wonder what it could be like, especially as Liam is the last person she fell in love with. She’s not saying she wants to get back together, as such, but she’s told him she needs that feeling of having a family unit again, and she can get lonely when she’s home alone.”
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Cheryl has also told pals that if she and Liam can put on a united front in public and show that they really are a happy family unit, it will do wonders for her public image. Liam, though, is unsure, as he doesn’t want to upset Maya, who was said to be “hurt” by Liam’s revelation that Cheryl is the most important person in his life.
Just two days after the documentary was aired, Liam attended a fashion show with Maya, holding her hand. The source adds, “Cheryl isn’t out to hurt Maya, but she thinks she deserves to be seen in a family capacity with Liam – because that is what they are and always will be. Liam is in such a good place with Cheryl now that he doesn’t want to rock the boat, either. He’s in a no-win situation with the women in his life, really.”