After their split last summer, the singer has told pals she misses ex Liam Payne - and wants him home with her and Bear
She seemed determined to move on from Liam Payne following their separation last summer, publicly declaring in November that she “couldn’t give a f**k” when the former One Direction star was linked to a string of other women.
But insiders say Cheryl is now realising how much she misses having Liam – with whom she has 23-month-old son Bear – in her life. Meanwhile, Liam’s new romance with supermodel Naomi Campbell, 48, appears to be heating up, with the singer spotted leaving her New York apartment last week.
The source says, “Cheryl really loved Liam as the father of her child, and although she feels the split was the right thing, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t miss him. She really enjoys it when they are together with Bear, as they feel like a strong family unit – even if they are just friends. Pals say one of Cheryl’s biggest fears was Liam finding a new woman and having to divide his time.
“Even though Cheryl’s the mother of his child, it’s understandable that Liam would need to make a serious girlfriend or partner a big priority in his life too, and pals think Cheryl could be worried about how that will affect her relationship with him.”
CHECK OUT celebrity break ups 2019
CLOSER Celebrity breakup 2019 - stacked
1 of 18Lily Allen and Meridan Dan
Singer Lily Allen announced she'd split from her boyfriend Meridan Dan after a three-year relationship. She admitted on the How To Fail With Elizabeth Dan podcast: "I've always had a boyfriend. "I don't at the moment. I'm single for the first time since I was about 15."
2 of 18Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid
Last year Zayn and Gigi left fans devastated when they announced they'd split but a few days later they were spotted back together again. In conclusion: watch this space. However after it appeared that the pair didn't spend New Year's together, everyone was left wondering whether they'd split and according to Us Weekly they have.A source told the publication: "They're done. They could get back together, but it's over for now."
3 of 18Tanya Burr and Jim Chapman
The Youtubers, who were thought to have a joint net-worth of around £4m, split in March after four years of marriage. "Just wanted to let you all know that a few weeks ago Jim and I made the painful decision to no longer be together," said Tanya in a statement on her Instagram."We have a huge amount of love and respect for each other and will continue to remain friends forever."
4 of 18Megan Barton Hanson and Wes Nelson
Megan Barton Hanson and Wes Nelson split after a well publicised row following Wes's debut on Dancing on Ice, where he's paired with professional skater Vanessa Bauer.Despite a scathing social media take down, Megan was still in the audience cheering Vanessa and Wes on after the split.
5 of 18Kaz Crossley and Josh Denzel
Sob! Hot on the the heels of Megan and Wes, Love Island coupleKaz Crossley and Josh Denzel announced an amicable split on Kaz's instagram."Sometimes things don't go the way you planned, but you have to be grateful for the journey."Thank you for everything especially showing me how to love myself again ❤ufe0f".
6 of 18Nicola Thorpe and Charlie de Melo
You know what they say – don't mix business with pleasure. This Corrie workplace romance wasn't to last as Nicole Thorpe – who plays Nicola Rubinstein – and Charlie de Melo – who plays Imran Habeeb – announced their break up just ten months after going public.
7 of 18Michael Parr and Isabel Hodgins
Micheal and Isabel, who first met while they both worked on Emmerdale, split after three years together. It was reported that clashing work commitments after Michael left the soap to crack America was the cause.
8 of 18Adam Collard and Zara McDermot
The third Love Island couple to fall victim to the break up in 2019, Zara and Adam parted waysafter Adam went on a wild night out with his fellow Love Island lads, Jack Fincham and Sam Bird."Sometimes in life, you just aren't enough for someone; no matter what you do for them or how much you try to be," said Zara."For everyone asking if I'm ok, I don't know that I am. But I know that soon I will be. I will be strong and prove to myself that I can get through this."
9 of 18Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson
It's safe to say that Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson had a rocky relationship after it came to light that he had cheated on her while she was pregnant with their first child together. Despite his unfaithfulness, she allowed him to be present when she gave birth and the pair seemed to have moved on from his infidelities. However in February 2019, gossip page Hollywood Unlocked reported that there were allegations that the basketball player cheated with Kylie Jenner's best friend Jordyn Woods. It's thought that Khloe and her baby daddy have now split.
10 of 18Lady Gaga and Christian Carino
Lady Gaga and Christian Carino called time on their engagement and relationship just four months after he proposed to the pop star. Her representative confirmed the news to People magazine and a source told the publication: "[It] just didn't work out."
11 of 18Rita Ora and Andrew Garfield
Despite stepping out publicly with the Spiderman actor in November last year, Rita and Andrew have kept their romance under wraps. But in March it was revealed by an insider that "Andrew split up with her recently and it's been hard going as they had spent a lot of time together."They spent Christmas together and she thought things were going well between them. She's cut up about the situation."
12 of 18Stacey Dooley and Sam Tucknott
Stacey Dooley split from her long term boyfriend Sam Tucknott just months after winning 2018's Strictly Come Dancing. Sources blamed her busy rehearsal schedule and close friendship with professional dance partner Kevin Clifton for the breakdown of their relationship.
13 of 18Jacquline Jossa and Dan Osbourne
Jacqueline reportedly kicked Dan out of the family home after he was accused of getting very intimate with Love Island's Alexandra Cane on a night out in Manchester in March.Both stars' reps claimed that nothing happened, and a spokesperson for Dan said that he was moving out "temporarily" to help his nan clear her house.
14 of 18Melinda Messenger and Chris Harding
Despite appearing on Loose Women together in November and looking the ultimate picture of happiness, Melinda and her boyfriend Chris, who she met on Celebrity First Dates last year, split. According to a source, the relationship broke down after just one argument. And it didn't take long toturn sour.
15 of 18Ulrika Jonsson and Brian Monet
After 11 years of marriage, Ulrika Jonsson and Brian Monet called time on their relationship. The TV presenter and American advertising executive had marriage counselling but unfortunately things didn't work out. Ulrika told Best magazine: "You can only resolve problems with another person."If I'm honest, getting another divorce age 51 is not where I thought I would be, so who knows? I just don't know what shape my future will take."I can't contemplate dating again. Then again, I've said I will never marry again before, and I did."The pair are parents to their son Malcom, 10, in 2014 Brian adopted Ulrika's daughter Bo, 18, (from her previous relationship with Markus Kempen) and the presenter is a mum to Cameron, 24, from her former marriage to John Turnball.
16 of 18Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer
Love Island 2018 winners Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer called it quits in April 2019. The pair won the nation over during their time on the ITV show and many thought they'd live happily ever after however before Christmas they hit a rough patch and split. There were a lot of questions when they reunited just weeks before they hosted the NTAs red carpet together and their Love Island spin off show aired on TV. Despite their reunion, Dani moved out of their shared home and it wasn't long until Jack confirmed on Instagram that they "aren't meant to be".
17 of 18Adele and Simon Konecki
After seven years together Adele and her husband Simon Konecki confirmed they'd split. A spokesperson for the singer said: "Adele and her partner have separated."They are committed to raising their son together lovingly. As always they ask for privacy. There will be no further comment."
18 of 18Susanna Reid and Steven Parish
Good Morning Britain co-host Susanna Reid split from her boyfriend of six months Steven Parish in April, but insisted they remain good friends. "It's very sad, but they just couldn't make it work," a source told The Sun at the time. "They both work extremely hard and there wasn't enough time for romance."
Despite suffering reported tension after their break-up – with claims they’d been kept apart backstage on The X Factor – Cheryl and Liam have appeared amicable in recent months, and even spent Christmas together as a family.
Cheryl – whose role as a judge on The Greatest Dancer came to an end last week – is thought to still be living in the Surrey home she once shared with Liam before their split.
In November, she revealed she had begged her beloved mum Joan to move in with her, but she’d refused because she doesn’t like London and prefers being in Newcastle. Opening up about her quiet life, she added, “I do all my shopping online. I go for low-key outings with my child and I go to restaurants through the back entrance.”
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And Cheryl – who refused to leave Bear until he was 16 months old and has previously opposed the idea of a full-time nanny – also talked about feeling lonely after spending her 20s touring with her Girls Aloud bandmates, admitting, “There have been times where you come off stage, you are rushing to get out past the traffic. Your eyes [sic] are still ringing from being on stage and it’s deadly silent and it’s just you in your dressing gown.”
And insiders say she has told pals she wouldn’t be opposed to Liam – who has been accused of sending flirty messages to another model amid his romance with Naomi – spending more time at home with her and Bear.
The insider adds, “Cheryl has a lot of lovely memories with Bear and Liam when they lived together, and Surrey has become somewhere special for her. Liam’s schedule is manic, so when he does make time to see Bear, she’s told him he’s always welcome to spend the night or stay for a few days.
“When her work schedule isn’t that busy, she can often find herself home alone. She plays with Bear and then baths him in the evening before bed. Once he’s asleep, she’s often alone watching TV, so she ends up going to bed early, too.
“She likes the quiet life, but she misses having someone else to chat to. She’s told Liam he’s welcome to make her Surrey home his base when he’s in the UK. She’d love to have him back at home, she knows Bear would love that and it would make it easier to co-parent. But obviously if he gets serious with Naomi or another woman, pals know that might not happen.”
Read even more about Cheryl and Liam in this week's Closer - out now.