Cheryl and Liam Payne relationship timeline: a look back from the very beginning

A look back at Cheryl and Liam's relationship from his solo X Factor audition in 2008 to their split in 2018...

The pair originally met back in 2008 when Liam first auditioned for the X Factor. Cheryl was a definitely fan of his talent and during the audition she said, 'I like you, I think you're really cute. I think you've got charisma and you give us that little cheeky wink.' Unfortunately, Liam didn't make it past the judges houses in 2008 but he later auditioned for the show AGAIN in 2010...

On his second appearance all the judges LOVED him, and Cheryl commented, 'You've definitely got it, whatever it is you've got it. And I thought your voice was really, really powerful.' At the bootcamp stage Liam joined forces with four other boys - Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson - and One Direction was created. During one week at the live performances Simon was ill and the boy band were mentored by Cheryl instead. When they were asked how they felt about their new mentor Liam revealed they found it difficult to concentrate.

Strangely enough, years before Cheryl and Liam started dating she nominated him for the ice bucket challenge on Instagram.

Before Cheryl and Liam's relationship began, Liam was in a relationship with Sophia Smith - a girl he had met at school - however in October 2015 the pair split after two years of dating.

Meanwhile, Cheryl surprised the world when she revealed that she had secretly married Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, but it wasn't to last. The pair split after 18 months together and Cheryl filed for divorce for 'unreasonable behaviour.'

There were rumours that Cheryl and Liam felt a spark during The X Factor final in 2015 which was also One Direction's last performance together. Apparently eyewitnesses saw the pair flirting shamelessly. Fast forward to Valentine's Day 2016 and Liam uploaded a photo of a rose with the caption, 'Happy Valentine's Day baby'. Remember: Chezza has that huge rose tattoo on her bum.

A couple of weeks later Cheryl uploaded a photo with the caption, 'Practicing my snap #BRITs' and Liam commented, 'See you there babe'. People began wondering if the pair were an item or not.

Shortly after, Liam and Cheryl were spotted shopping in Tesco's in Guildford and the person who took the photo wrote, 'It was definitely Cheryl and Liam but unfortunately I didn't get a picture. They were in my local Tesco in Guildford at midnight.'

On 28 February Liam and Cheryl confirmed their relationship with the singer updating his Instagram photo to a picture of the pair looking loved up and wrote in his bio 'Happy'. Liam deleted all pictures of his ex-girlfriend Sophia and unfollowed her on Instagram. Awkward.

The following day Cheryl hit back at her online trolls by changing her Instagram bio to, 'When people hate on you, it's because you've got something they want. All love. Good vibes only.' Although she later deleted the first bit and left it as, 'All love good vibes only.'

The pair then teased the world with pictures of each; Cheryl uploaded a selfie featuring Liam's arm and the One Direction star uploaded a photo of the pair posing for a photo.

After teasing the world with their relationship, the happy couple, who have a ten-years age gap, were spotted for the first time in public since they confirmed their relationship at a casino in Mayfair.

A source told Closer magazine: 'Cheryl fell for Liam extremely fast – she didn't think it was possible to fall in love so quickly after her whirlwind romance with JB, but she's fallen even faster this time. Once their relationship took off, they were saying "I love you" within a few weeks.'

On 9 March 2016, Cheryl and Liam were spotted holding hands leaving Salmontini restaurant in London.

Cheryl defended her relationship in an emotional Instagram post. The picture she uploaded read, 'Girls compete with each other. Women empower one another'. She captioned the photo: 'It can be so hard at times being a girl for sooo many reasons! But we don't have to make it harder for each other. Why do we still feel the need to do that?? I don't understand it. I have always been a girls girl, and love other strong women.' She continued, 'That is why I surround myself with them, and that is why I try to empower others. Trying to pull another person down, only speaks volumes about your character! And not a thing about theirs. There's nothing more powerful or beautiful than an inspiring, strong women that can look up to or turn to. Be one!!!'

Cheryl posted a photo of Liam carrying a BUNCH of Easter eggs on Instagram.

In April, Simon Cowell spoke about Liam and Cheryl's relationship. The X Factor boss revealed, '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.'

In April Liam posted a video on Instagram of himself and Cheryl training his dog and although the puppy doesn't listen to Liam he does listen to Cheryl's commands.

Liam and Cheryl were spotted again looking VERY cute at the London restaurant Sexy Fish.

Liam and Cheryl had their first red carpet moment together at the Global Gift Gala in Paris. After this event rumours started as to whether Cheryl was pregnant after people noticed a tiny 'bump'.

A few days later the happy couple appeared together on the red carpet at the 69th Cannes Film Festival.

A source told Closer magazine, 'When friends have quizzed her [Cheryl] about what's happening with Liam she's been saying she's letting it all happen naturally – and that Liam will be the perfect dad!'

Liam and Cheryl attend his sister Ruth's wedding as a couple and looked VERY stylish.

Liam's sister defended her own wedding dress and Cheryl's outfit after seeing negative articles online. On Twitter she wrote, 'I loved my wedding dress, I felt like a princess, I also lost 3st to feel as beautiful as I did in it, that was hard work when I'm a naturally chunky girl, not everyone needs to be a size 10 to get married. I also had no say over my wedding, I don't know who does have a say but considering my brother's girlfriend is one of the most beautiful women in the world she can wear anything and still look stunning as she did at my wedding.'

Pregnancy rumours started to pick up after a source told The Sun, 'It's very serious now between Cheryl and Liam and they have been talking among close friends about starting a family.'

Cheryl revealed on Instagram that the pair have bought an adorable puppy together. She uploaded a snap of Liam and the new miniature dog with the caption, 'Our new family member he is beyond cute. The dog is adorable too.'

Simon Cowell admitted that Cheryl would be an amazing mum. Although he didn't confirm or deny whether Cheryl is pregnant Simon did tell the Mirror, 'Cheryl would be an amazing mum. I have seen her with my son Eric and other kids over the years and she is incredible.'

Liam changed his Twitter bio to read 'Luckiest man in the world' which fuelled any pregnancy rumours further.

Liam shared a cute photo of the pair wearing face masks. He captioned the photo, 'I miss you! The things you make me do. Home soon!'

Cheryl's mum was pictured buying a pregnancy pillow in Mothercare and after this photo surfaced the pregnancy rumours were at an all-time high.

After being fairly absent from social media Cheryl uploaded a stunning selfie on Instagram with a butterfly filter.

Cheryl and Jean-Bernard's divorce was finalised.

Cheryl had a perfume signing for her fans. Chezza sat behind her desk during her perfume signing but was still happy to take pictures with fans.

It was revealed that Cheryl was the new face of Childline and after being absent from the television she appeared on The One Show but pregnancy rumours were not mentioned.

On 29th November, Cheryl and Liam stepped out and attended the Fayre of St James Christmas Carol Concert in London and everyone finally got to see Cheryl's growing 'baby bump'.

After Cheryl showed off her baby bump rumours of her pregnancy were sent into overdrive. Liam's sister spoke out about the news and said on Twitter, 'Bump or no bump, announced or not, it's completely up to my brother and Cheryl what parts of their private lives they choose to share and when.'

The former One Direction member took their relationship one step further and followed Chezza on Instagram. Before, Liam only followed his ex-girlfriend Sophia Smith but when the pair split up he unfollowed her and followed no one else on the social media site.

In December 2016, there were rumours that Liam was planning to propose to Cheryl after she's given birth. According to the Daily Star a friend of the couple told the publication that the One Direction star got inspiration from Kimberley Walsh and Justin Scott. They said, 'It's given Liam so many ideas. There will definitely be wedding bells sooner than we expected.'

After Louis Walsh was asked how he'd feel if Simon Cowell brought Cheryl back to the X Factor judging panel he told Huffington Post, 'Well Simon wouldn't invite Cheryl back because we have Nicole. We have Nicole [Scherzinger] and Sharon [Osbourne], we don't need another girl. So go and f--k off now! No silly questions, seriously. It's not about Cheryl. Don't be stupid, man.' Things didn't end there though because Liam soon took to Twitter to defend his girlfriend and hit back at Louis.

Cheryl simply replied to Liam's tweet saying, 'Oh...'

Closer Online unveiled a picture of what Liam and Cheryl's baby could look like.

During the run up to Christmas the couple posted funny festive cards on social media.

On Christmas Day, Cheryl uploaded an adorable photo of herself and Liam using the elf Snapchat filter. She wrote on Instagram, 'Merry Christmas from our families to yours. Hope you've had a great day.'

The world was sent into frenzy after Cheryl's hairdresser Wendy Iles posted a video of Chezza on a shoot featuring a rare glimpse of her 'baby bump'.

People began to wonder whether Liam had a tattoo dedicated to Cheryl after fans noticed he had a new tat on his arm of an eye that resembles Cheryl's. A fan wrote on Twitter, 'First he brought the sparkle back to her eyes, then he got it tattooed.

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Shortly after Beyonce announced she's expecting twins, rumour's began to swirl that Cheryl was going to pose for a 'pregnancy' photoshoot. Mariano Vivanco posted a cyrptic picture on his Instagram story before quickly deleting it, but it read, 'My Devine @cherylofficial...'

Just a month before welcoming her little one, Chez proudly cradled her baby bump as part of a powerful campaign.

Throughout Liam's time in One Direction he often said his celebrity crush was Cheryl and in March 2017, the boyband member opened up about his relationship and admitted, 'In a non-cliche way, it's weird waking up every day and literally living out your dream. You wake up in the most beautiful places. Obviously I have the most beautiful girlfriend in the world and she's absolutely amazing. She's been my dream girl since I was younger. She's so ace.'

Cheryl has always been one to share an adorable post on Mother's Day so at Closer Online we guessed that theGirls Aloud star may confirm she's given birth on the special day. It's safe to say that we wasn't far off...

In March Cheryl and Liam confirmed they've welcomed a baby boy into the world. The yummy mummy wrote on Instagram, 'On Wednesday 22nd March 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.'

Liam added: 'My close friends and family know there are very few times when I'm left speechless... wow! I'm incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world, it's a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favourite memory I have so far. I'm completely in awe of his incredible mother and how she has been the whole way through this, she's really made my dreams come true.'

Shortly after Cheryl and Liam welcomed their first child into the world it became very clear that they would be keeping their little one out of the spotlight. It was reported that they would not be doing any mag deals after welcoming their baby boy.

Chezza's hair stylist posted this sweet snap and fans rushed to speculate whether it was the new arrival.

Months after welcoming their first child together the happy couple finally revealed that their son is called Bear Payne. A photo even surfaced of Chez, Liam and Bear and it's safe to say that it was not what we were expecting. The world was surprised by other famous Bears' rushed to congratulate the couple on the unique name. Liam later revealed the real reason he and his girlfriend decided on the name Bear.

Liam was quick to reveal his sons nickname and it's safe to say that it's absolutely adorable.

After becoming parents Liam admitted that his relationship wasn't always smooth sailing. He admitted that she actually tried to break up with his once...

Just two months after welcoming baby Bear, Liam revealed that Cheryl had already lost all her baby weight.

It wasn't long before Liam revealed he and Chez have already spoken about having even more children..

Despite being VERY private about their son, the popstar couple continue to tease fans about their sex life. From admitting that he's had 'no complaints' from Cheryl about the size of his manhood to taking inspiration from an X-rated tweetto romance his girlfriend, Liam isn't one to keep quiet. Even Cheryl's broke her social media silence by giving her boyfriend a little PDA. She even sent fans into a frenzy following a raunchy tweet about her sex life with Liam Payne.

On Father's Day Cheryl opened up about Liam's relationship with baby Bear and it's safe to say that it's absolutely adorable.

Despite Liam previously admitting that he and Cheryl want more children, Closer Magazine revealed that the mum-of-one isn't ready to extend their family just yet.

Although Cheryl has barely said anything about her little one, Liam revealed the real reason they're only showing 'glimpses' of their son on social media.

Just four months after welcoming baby Bear,Cheryl returned to work and looked as fabulous as ever.

Even though Bear's parents are millionaires, they made it clear they will not be spoiling their little one. That didn't stop them from buying him a pair of Yeezy trainers and splashing out on designer clothes.

Two years after the couple started dating and there's been a lot of speculation on whether Cheryl and Liam are engaged after she stepped out with a massive ring.

Shortly after the engagement rumours it was reported that the popstar couple's relationship was 'under strain'. Then it came to light that the former One Direction star was seeking legal advice about their 'split'. Things appeared to get even more awkward afterCheryl dodged a question about Liam in her BBC breakfast interview and then she hit back at FANS who quiz her on her relationship.

After putting on a united front at the Brit AwardsLiam and Chez hit back at the haters with a defiant video. The mum-of-one then went on a witter rant about critics of her relationship with Liam and just when you thought all was well with the pair, Cheryl ignoredLiam Payne's tasteless jokes on social media.

After a two-year relationship Liam Payne and Cheryl confirmed they'd split on Twitter. Despite going their 'separate ways' they went on to say, 'Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.'