She’s been single for four years since her split from Liam Payne following the birth of their now six-year- old son, Bear – insisting, “I’m learning I can be fine by myself”.
But as Cheryl, 40, prepare for her big comeback with Girls Aloud this summer, pals say she’s also hoping to reignite her love life and find personal happiness at the same time.
A source says, “While Cheryl has loved spending the last few years being a hands-on mum raising Bear, she’s eager to start focusing on herself and her own future – telling pals she’s ready for her comeback both professionally and personally.
“Being back out on the showbiz scene and preparing for the reunion tour has given Cheryl a much-needed confidence boost as well as a reminder of how much she’s missed going out, getting dressed up and meeting new people.
“She’s excited to swap mum life for pop star life and all that comes with that – heading to after parties, getting the VIP treatment, wearing sexy outfits and hopefully meeting a new man as she starts dipping her toe back into the dating scene.”
Throughout her 24-year career in the spotlight, Cheryl’s turbulent love life has often overshadowed her professional successes.
Her initial dreams of having a big family with her first husband, Ashley Cole, were dashed when it was revealed he’d cheated on her with a string of women – leading to a divorce after just four years of marriage in 2006.
Her second shot at wedded bliss, to Jean Bernard Fernandez-Versini in 2014, was also short-lived – divorcing less than two years later, with Cheryl blaming his “unreasonable behaviour” as the cause of her dramatic weight loss.
Since Cheryl’s split from former 1D star Liam, 30 – who she started dating shortly after her second divorce – the pair have maintained a close co-parenting relationship and friendship. And while her former toyboy has gone on to find love with influencer girlfriend Kate Cassidy, Cheryl is yet to meet someone special.
The source says, “Cheryl’s been through her fair share of heartbreak. This has understandably taken its toll and led her to do a lot of self-healing and soul-searching after splitting from Liam.
“She’d always been someone who’d quickly fall head-over-heels and let her heart rule over her head, but after taking some time out to find herself and really understand the person she wants to be with, she feels she’s learned from past mistakes. She’s ready to open up her heart again for a man who she hopes she can settle down with.”
After celebrating her milestone birthday last year, insiders told Closer how the former X Factor judge – who’s previously opened up about wanting more children and exploring “alternative options” to give Bear a sibling – told pals it’s “now or never” to have a second child.
And friends say she’s still holding on to the hope that she’ll be able to have her dream family.
The source adds, “Cheryl’s still longing to have another baby. But while she knows it might be too late to have the big family she always dreamed of, she’s hoping her next partner will be on the same page and she will finally find her happily ever after.”