Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne split after two years of dating
Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne have decided to part ways. The pair announced their separation in a joint statement on Sunday (July 1) which they shared on social media. “Cheryl and I are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways,” wrote Liam on his Twitter. “It’s been a tough decision for us to make.” Despite the split, the couple has decided to keep their son, Bear their number one priority.
“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," the statement continued. At the same time, Cheryl posted a similar message on her Twitter account. Cheryl and Liam went public with their relationship in 2015. The two met each other on the sets of X Factor U.K. in 2008. Cheryl was a judge on the show while Liam was a contestant.
For a long time there had been rumors about the couple parting ways but time and again they shut it down. The two were spotted supporting each other on several occasions and multiple times the pair commented on the relationship suggesting everything was fine. Previous reports from the tabloid had suggested that the distance between the pair was becoming a growing concern in their relationship.
Despite the split, the pair has never stopped loving or keeping their baby as their priority. In November 2016, the pair confirmed they were expecting their first child. But it wasn't until February 2017 that the pair officially announced the news. Cheryl showed off her growing baby bump in a photo shoot for L’Oreal and The Prince’s Trust. Wearing a long black dress, Cheryl beamed with happiness as she cradled her baby bump.
Liam has even praised Cheryl as a mother. After she gave birth to Bear, the singer opened up about Cheryl in an interview with U.K.’s Rollacoaster magazine. “She is a wonderful, wonderful person and it’s amazing to have someone who can relate to so much of things — someone who’s taken greater steps than me,” he said, as reported by People. He added, “She’s been my dream girl since I was younger. She’s so ace.”
Meanwhile, opening up to The Sun, the singer added that the pair had no plans of getting married even after welcoming their son. "I see marriage as more of a religious thing and I’m not really a religious person," he said. "We have a baby together — you know, our love for each other can’t be more serious, so it is what it is I guess.” After the pair announced their split several fans have been hoping that they would get back together. Meanwhile, there have been others who are supporting them through their decision.
Cheryl Cole was born in Newcastle and she started her career on ITV's Popstars: The Rivals in 2002 as one of the members of Girls Aloud. She then went on to launch a solo career and became a judge on The X Factor in 2008. She met Payne when he auditioned for the reality show that year, aged 14. After Payne performed the jazz standard Fly Me To The Moon, she told him, "I think you've got charisma. I think you're really cute".