Cheryl and Liam Payne: A Love Story Made to Be Broken

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After two failed marriages to Ashley Cole and Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini and a string of relationships with Kieron Dyer, Derek Hough, and Tre Holloway, Cheryl finally settled on One Direction star Liam Payne.

Cheryl and Liam Payne first met in 2008 when he auditioned for X Factor aged 14Cheryl and Liam Payne first met in 2008 when he auditioned for X Factor aged 14 (Credit: Ian West / PA Images / INSTARimages)

So, how did they actually meet, and how did their relationship unfurl? Read on to find out more!

Liam and Cheryl’s meeting

This former couple met for the very first time back in 2008 when Liam, aged 14, auditioned for The X Factor. Cheryl, 24 at the time, was on the judging panel.

What happened next?

Despite this early meeting, they didn’t become official until eight years later, in 2016. The ten-year age difference didn’t stop this couple from celebrating their romance.

The then 24-year-old Cheryl Cole called the 10 years younger Liam Payne "cute" when he auditioned on the British talent showThe then 24-year-old Cheryl Cole called the 10 years younger Liam Payne “cute” when he auditioned on the British talent show (Credit: ITV)

Liam kept his Instagram followers updated with cozy snaps of himself and Cheryl in this happy period.

With Liam standing at 5’9” and Cheryl at 5’2”, no one could deny that this pretty pair looked good together. Cheryl even gave birth to their first child together, Bear Grey, in spring 2018.

The split

However, the whirlwind romance wasn’t meant to last. Liam and Cheryl split just months after their son’s first birthday, going their separate ways in June 2018.

Cheryl chose to break up with Liam because she had been left to raise baby Bear on her own.

It appears that Cheryl had to look after the baby whilst Liam performed at festivals and concerts around the world, excelling his music career further whilst Cheryl put hers on hold.

Cheryl and Liam went public as a couple in February 2016, welcomed son Bear in March 2017, and split in July 2018Cheryl and Liam went public as a couple in February 2016, welcomed son Bear in March 2017, and split in July 2018 (Credit: INFphoto)

Both having very successful yet time-consuming careers in the music industry certainly strained the relationship.

Being at differing stages of their lives, the cracks within the age difference had finally started to show. After careful consideration, Cheryl initiated the sensible decision for them to go their separate ways.

However, this isn’t to say that the family have genuinely broken up. A joint statement between the couple admitted that they still had a lot of love for their family unit and that they would continue co-parenting Bear.

Post-break-up

After the break-up, Liam appeared to get close with Naomi Campbell, though the pair never confirmed that they were anything more than friends.

The One Direction singer dated Danielle Peazer yet moved on to his most recent relationship with model Maya Henry, whom he praised for keeping him happy.

One Direction star Liam Payne and model Maya Henry met when she attended a 1D concert in 2015 and officially started dating in August 2019One Direction star Liam Payne and model Maya Henry met when she attended a 1D concert in 2015 and officially started dating in August 2019 (Credit: Nils Jorgensen / INSTARimages)

On the other hand, Cheryl has put her love life on hold, deciding to stay single and concentrate on her young son. She has remained close with Liam following their devastating split to make every effort for baby Bear.

The Fight for this Love singer even suggested that he move back into her house so that Bear could have them both around. After all, pandemic restrictions made things particularly hard for Liam, who couldn’t see his son during this period.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Cheryl Tweedy pose for a photograph with the graduates of the team programPrince Charles, Prince of Wales, and Cheryl Tweedy pose for a photograph with the graduates of the team program during his visit to Cheryl’s Trust Centre on November 9, 2021, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England (Credit: INSTARimages)

Therefore, whilst Chiam came to an end, it appears that their closeness has not. In every effort to do parenting right, Liam and Cheryl’s story will continue – just not in the way that we’d initially hoped.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini wears her hair in an edgy French braid as she leaves Sexy Fish restaurantCheryl Fernandez-Versini wears her hair in an edgy French braid as she leaves Sexy Fish restaurant on April 12, 2016, in Mayfair, London (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

In April 2016, Cheryl Ann Tweedy was still finalizing her divorce from Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, but she was reportedly already living with her new beau Liam Payne in his £5.1 million home in Surrey.

The new couple looked very much in love when they stepped out for date night at Sexy Fish in London. They walked hand-in-hand as they left the restaurant clad in edgy ensembles.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Liam Payne enjoy date night at Sexy Fish restaurantCheryl Fernandez-Versini and Liam Payne enjoy date night at Sexy Fish restaurant (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

The One Direction singer opted for a casual monochrome outfit, which included a white tee, a black leather jacket, and a pair of black jeans.

Liam Payne and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini leave Sexy Fish after dinner in LondonLiam Payne and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini leave Sexy Fish after dinner in London (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

The then 32-year-old Cheryl, on the other hand, went the quirky route in a pair of By Malene Birger black leather culottes, a tropical-printed bomber jacket by Saint Laurent, and a red blouse by Juan Carlos Obando.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini wears a tropical print bomber jacket as she leaves dinner in London with new boyfriend Liam PayneCheryl Fernandez-Versini wears a tropical print bomber jacket as she leaves dinner in London with new boyfriend Liam Payne (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

Cheryl added some edge to her look with layered necklaces, a Saint Laurent fringed bag, and a funky pair of black shoes.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini wears leather pants and a tropical-printed bomber jacket out in LondonCheryl Fernandez-Versini wears leather pants and a tropical-printed bomber jacket out in London (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

She rounded out her look with a french braid and neutral-toned makeup.

The pop star, who already had applied to drop her surname, slipped into a pair of Tom Ford sandals.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini's feet in Tom Ford sandalsCheryl Fernandez-Versini’s feet in Tom Ford sandals (Credit: Tim McLees / WENN)

These bizarre shoes are made of black velvet and feature PVC trim, T-straps, back-zip fastenings, and 4.5-inch cylindrical heels.

Unfortunately, these shoes are no longer available. You can check out new styles at Net-A-Porter and Farfetch.

Tom Ford PVC-Trimmed Velvet T-Bar Sandals, $1,490

Tom Ford PVC-Trimmed Velvet T-Bar Sandals

\Tom Ford PVC-Trimmed Velvet T-Bar Sandals