In the course of a single week, rumours of the pop pair splitting up and getting back together have done the rounds like a bout of gastroenteritis
It’s not often that a showbiz melodrama plays out so neatly inside a week, like an earthy four-part BBC drama, or a bout of the trots. But the past seven days have given us the perfect celebrity serial: one that began with a tabloid exposé and ended with Jack Whitehall kink-shaming live on ITV. This, of course, is the ballad of Cheryl-doesn’t-currently-have-a-surname and Liam Payne.
To understand the breakdown, though, you have to understand the genesis of a slightly creepy relationship. Cheryl first met Liam when she was a 24-year-old X Factor “mentor” and he was a 14-year-old schoolboy in bootcut jeans and an ill-fitting waistcoat singing Fly Me to the Moon in order to win her vote and get through to bootcamp. There is a moment in that initial audition when he half winks at her and she smiles – to the viewer at the time, it was just a tween’s mam-taught approximation of rat-pack-performing patter, but we now know that Liam was thinking: “Just wait one decade until I get you pregnant and we name our son Bear.”
It’s often the cry of teachers, professors or Woody Allen that when they start to date someone a decade their junior, the object of their affections is “actually very mature for their age” – a kind of older man oath of allegiance, if you like: I do solemnly swear that, admittedly, Kirsty might still have pigtails but honestly we watched Only Connect the other night and she got two of the answers right.
Yet Cheryl would be forgiven for believing that Liam was not just mature for his age but near-geriatric. If Harry was the rebellious one, and Zayn the sexy one, then Liam was the Iain Duncan Smith of One Direction. His personality was not to have one, his hobby was breathing. He was a man for whom the peak of excitement was his morning shower – so much so that he once actually tweeted: “woop woop shower time.”
Still, after two failed marriages with a love-rat footballer and a man with twice as many names as a man should have (Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini), you can see why Cheryl might have wanted to keep things simple with two syllables from Wolverhampton. Besides, she’s a six-time Will.I.Am collaborator. Once they were together she could help him become a bit cooler. She could have it all: a malleable handsome young pop star exterior, with a hard Werther’s Original core.
If that was the plan, it went awry: according to the tabloids, Cheryl has barely left the house in the past nine months as she cares for their child. Liam, meanwhile, is gallivanting across the world touring an album of sexless R&B, dressing like Kevin Federline and talking as if he’s on My Super Sweet 16 and he’s really chuffed off because Daddy promised he was going to get Kendrick Lamar for the party but in the end only Rizzle Kicks showed up.
A particular nadir was when Liam – a man who, just three years earlier, told fans “I wish I was Harry Potter” – Instagrammed a photo of himself wearing a red tracksuit and gold chain, with his middle finger flipped at the camera and the caption: “You can only get jet lag from a jet the rest of yall have got plane lag.” The post was eventually deleted, but the message was clear: in an attempt to refresh his image, he had somehow become even less cool than when he was sweeping his fringe out of his eyes and singing Frank Sinatra for the delectation of Louis Walsh.
Yet most observers thought Cheryl was grinning and bearing it, mostly because the grin’n’bear is the only facial expression she has exhibited this decade. But on Sunday, the Sun splashed on an exclusive that the couple were having “SPLIT TALKS”.
Apparently Liam’s now considerable ego has been bruised after he has made repeated wedding proposals, all of which have been knocked back by Cheryl. It is perfectly understandable: as she juggles two children, infant and infantile, Cheryl might not be that keen on a third marriage right now. But the paper reported that the rebuffings have created an unhealable rift and Liam has consulted his financial advisors to see what a split would cost.
Then, on Tuesday, Cheryl appeared on BBC Breakfast to launch her new charitable foundation, Cheryl’s Trust. Host Dan Walker asked her if it was “frustrating, when you’re trying to focus on what you’re doing there, when so much of your personal life is in the papers at the moment?”, thus creating the very frustration he was referring to while making it seem like he is somehow above the scum of the tabloids. Cheryl, a dab hand at telling someone to eff off with a single doe-eyed stare, just repeated the question back at Walker. “Is it frustrating?” she spat – waiting to see if he might just shrink back into the sofa. “No, it doesn’t bother me at all.”
The next obstacle was trickier to stage-manage: the Brits, music’s biggest night! Liam and Cheryl were both due to attend, yet they hadn’t been seen together in months. They would have to go separately and announce to the world that it was over.
But hours before the Brits, Liam’s Instagram revealed the two of them enjoying a spontaneous moment of affection, Cheryl lying on the sofa fiddling with Liam’s nose. Lucky it was caught on Liam’s personal account by a third person filming the well-framed shot from the other side of the room. There is surely no irony that Justin Timberlake’s new single plays in the background with its refrain of “haters gonna say it’s fake”.
Then, at the awards proper – which were hosted by Jack Whitehall, despite him being the living antithesis of current movements demanding more diversity at awards shows; I mean, you literally might as well get Andrea Leadsom to host the Mobos – their love was put under further scrutiny. Liam was performing a song from the 50 Shades Freed soundtrack with Rita Ora. So Whitehall, sidling alongside them at their table, wanted to know what their “safe word” was? There was an open goal for a cheap gag here: “The baby monitor is our safe word!!”, if you’re playing it safe. “Nightclub toilet,” if you’re feeling risky. Instead, Cheryl said it was “Don’t stop” – in a kind of solemn overcompensation for how kinky and totally fine their sex life is - although I’m pretty sure people who use safe words don’t joke about no meaning yes.
As if to add further distraction, Este from Haim was sitting behind Liam, dramatically applying lip gloss and making “call me” signals behind her head. It had a kind of Carry On brilliance, the funniest thing to happen at the whole Brits, but perhaps sensing that she had cracked a gag at a funeral, Este phoned Cheryl live on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show the next morning to let her know there was no bad blood.
Thursday’s tabloids were full of Liam and Cheryl’s “brave faces”, suggesting that the story will end happily. Right on cue, Dan Wootton’s Bizarre column in the Sun – the British tabloids’ pot-stirrer-in-chief – weighed in to claim the whole thing was a stunt, and that his magic sources say the relationship is very strained.
Like all great dramas, and all great bouts of gastroenteritis, just when you think it’s over – a second series announces itself.
CHERYL and Liam Payne set the showbiz world alight when they announced Cheryl had given birth to their first child in March 2017.
A week ago it was revealed their relationship is in crisis, but last night at the Brit Awards the couple put on a united front. Here's the lowdown on what's going on..
Getty Images - Getty Cheryl and Liam Payne were all smiles on the Brit Awards 2018 red carpet
Could Cheryl and Liam really be about to split?
The couple attended the Brit Awards 2018 together and put on a united front despite their relationship crisis.
Cheryl was there to support boyfriend Liam Payne who performed his song For You from the new Fifty Shades Freed film on stage with Rita Ora.
The couple were interviewed at their table by host Jack Whitehall during which Cheryl jokingly revealed her 'safe word'.
Later on the presenter made a cheeky quip about Liam and Rita's hot 'chemistry' after a steamy performance.
However, on February 18, 2018 The Sun on Sunday revealed that despite holding crisis talks about the future of their relationship, pals fear the showbiz couple could be on the verge of splitting.
The 10-year age gap between the two and Liam's pursuit of a solo career are the main reasons believed to be behind the rumours.
A source close to the couple revealed: “There’s a big age gap between them. If they didn’t have Bear then they would have most likely split up by now.
“But they love their son. And they do care for each other so it’s now a matter of seeing if there’s a final way forward to try and make it work.”
Getty Images - WireImage Liam and Cheryl have been having relationship trouble of late
What were the marriage rumours?
In May 2017 Liam sparked rumours he and Cheryl had secretly wed after he described her as his “wife” during a US radio interview.
Meanwhile, Cheryl, 34, has already been married twice before, and according to OK! Magazine, "doesn't want a circus" if and when she weds Liam.
In July 2017 Liam was forced to finally admit that he hasn't married Cheryl, saying he merely refers to Cheryl as "the Mrs" in a colloquial sense.
Liam subsequently hinted he may never marry Cheryl as he says "weddings aren’t for him".
Instagram Cheryl and Liam on a date night
Who was Cheryl married to before?
The former Girls Aloud singer first tied the knot with footballer Ashley Cole in 2006 but the couple split in 2010 following allegations Ashley had been unfaithful.
Their divorce was granted in September of that year.
Cheryl then went on to marry businessman Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in July 2014 after a whirlwind three-month romance.
However the marriage fell apart and after months of speculation, the split was confirmed in January 2016 and the couple were granted a decree nisi in October.
Splash News The singer was also married to Frenchman Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini from 2014 until she filed for divorce in January 2016
Who did Liam date before meeting Cheryl?
Being 10 years younger than Cheryl, Liam doesn't have quite the relationship history of his girlfriend but did have some significant relationships before they got together.
The singer dated dancer Danielle Peazer from October 2010 until May 2013.
He then quickly moved on to a new relationship with Sophia Smith, who he had known since primary school.
The couple dated until October 2015, just weeks before he got together with Cheryl.
Getty Images Liam previously dated Sophia Smith for over two years
How did Cheryl and Liam Payne meet?
The pair first met all the way back in 2008 on the set of the X Factor, where 14-year-old Liam's first audition earns him praise from his future partner, as well as calling him "cute".
Liam returned to the show in 2010 as a 16-year-old and became part of One Direction, impressing Cheryl with his talents once again.
The pair are believed to have become a couple in December 2015 after One Direction performed on the X Factor for the final time, with the couple snapped sharing a hug and dancing together.
The Sun then exclusively confirmed their relationship in February 2016.
ITV The pair first met in 2008 when Liam, then 14, auditioned for The X Factor and winked at her
What have Cheryl and Liam Payne called their baby boy?
The Sun revealed on May 1, 2017 that the couple named their son Bear after spending a week getting to know him.
Baby Bear also took his One Direction star dad’s surname.
A source revealed: “Cheryl and Liam wanted to get to know their baby before deciding on a name.
“They didn’t have the name Bear before the birth.
Instagram Proud dad Liam Payne has revealed baby son Bear's nickname is Cub
“But they’d been thinking of a name since meeting him and they just felt it suited him.
“They love their little baby Bear Payne and are truly over the moon and loving being parents for the first time together.”
Liam has opened up on “making a human” with Cheryl – calling it his proudest achievement.
latest on cheryl CHERYL'S TOYBOY The FULL lowdown on Cheryl and Liam Payne's relationship – and the age gap WHAT'S IN A NAME? Here's all you need to know about Cheryl and Liam Payne's baby Bear TOP OF THE TOTS Liam Payne and Cheryl teach 7-month-old son Bear to speak Spanish ONE'S YOUR LOT Cheryl tells Liam Payne she's 'not ready for another baby' after he admitted he wanted a second child COULDN'T BEAR TO LEAVE Cheryl and Liam Payne deny they're quitting the UK for a life in Hollywood with baby Bear BOUNCE BACK BODY Cheryl is back to a size six after daily workouts, yoga during baby Bear's naps and a low carb diet BACK TO WORK Cheryl to 'fly to America to record fifth album' following first public appearance after maternity leave mummy bear's back! Cheryl shows off her slim post-baby body just five months after giving birth as she's spotted in public signing autographs for fans LIAM PLOTS TOT TAT Liam Payne 'planning large chest tattoo' to mark becoming a dad to son Bear with long-term girlfriend Cheryl Dad date Liam Payne reveals he didn't meet Cheryl's father until she was pregnant with their son Bear high steaks Liam Payne reveals 'mother-in-law' Joan jokingly 'waved a knife' at him when he ordered a £300 steak for dinner NO MORE mum tum Liam Payne reveals Cheryl has lost all her baby weight just two months after giving birth to son Bear
Has Cheryl changed her name back to her maiden name?
Cheryl's surname has changed many times over the years, due to her being married twice.
First she was Cheryl Tweedy (her maiden name) , then she changed it to Cheryl Cole when she married Ashley Cole, then she was Cheryl Fernandez Versini, during her short=lived marriage to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini.
After she divorced the Frenchman she simply went by"Cheryl".
Now, The Sun can reveal that she has officially changed her name back to Cheryl Tweedy.
Este Haim phoned Cheryl Cole to clarify she has no beef with her after she was called out for allegedly acting drunk while photobombing the fellow singer's interview during the 2018 BRIT Awards.
As Cheryl and partner Liam Payne spoke to the host during the live telecast (about their sex life!), the Haim band member, seated behind them, winked, appeared to pretend to apply lip balm and mouthed "call me" at the camera, prompting many people on social media who did not recognize her to mistake her for a random intoxicated woman.
Este later clarified on Twitter she was "not drunk, just living my truth." On Thursday morning, she appeared on BBC Radio 1 and during the show, left a voicemail for Cheryl.
"Cheryl, hi, this is Este Haim calling. I'm in a band called Haim with my sisters. We- wait, before anything, congratulations on the baby. Big mazel," Este said, referring to Cole and Payne's 11-month-old son Bear.
"I happened to be sitting behind you last night at the BRIT Awards and had an amazing time. However, some people on the Internet are claiming that I may or may not have been, I dunno, thumb in my nose at the situation in front of me. That's an Americanism," she said. "But I just want to let you know, there's no beef."
1 / 5 Pasangan penyanyi, Liam Payne dan Cheryl Cole menghadiri karpet merah BRIT Awards 2018 di London, Rabu (21/2). Sempat dikabarkan putus, Liam Payne dan Cheryl membuktikan hubungan mereka baik-baik saja dengan hadir bersama. (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
