They’ve done their best to co-parent in a COVID era, swapping family days out for FaceTiming and trying to keep their three-year-old son Bear as happy and safe as possible.
But, just as Cheryl thought that she and Liam Payne were getting back to their old routine, she’s had a very rude awakening. heat has been told Liam’s considering making a permanent move to LA, and with Cheryl’s family and friends all based in the UK, it’s looking very unlikely that she and Bear will join him – especially if it means living with him and his 19-year-old girlfriend Maya Henry.
“Cheryl knows that Liam is desperate to be in the US, but she hates the idea of him not being around Bear,” says an insider close to the singer, 37, who, as heat has reported, has been making big plans for her future – including a potential judging stint on Strictly and having another baby via a sperm donor.
“Both she and Liam are thinking about the bigger picture and what they want to do with their lives, and it seems Liam’s decided that – in order to really push his solo career next year – he needs to be in the States. Also, Maya’s from the US and she wants to move back there.”
Last month, Liam, 26, was forced to slash the asking price of his LA mansion, after failing to find a buyer in the two years that it’s been on sale. But, according to our source, the fact that he hasn’t been able to shift the property has made him reconsider his options and seriously think about moving to the US – preferably with Maya, Cheryl and Bear in tow.
Check out: some iconic Cheryl throwbacks
Cheryl Cole before and after: Girls Aloud singer's worst outfits ever
1 of 403rd January 2002
Pre the days of hair straighteners, make-up, eyebrow shaping and teeth whitening
2 of 409th January 2002
We can only imagine she was paid a lot of money to wear this leather beanie
3 of 409th February 2002
Warning: Highly flammable
4 of 4010th February 2002
Back in the Popstars: The Rivals days it was apparently a crime not to wear burgundy
5 of 403rd March 2002
Toilet roll = an excellent trim for a boring pink shirt
6 of 4017th October 2002
That sheepskin rug came in handy in the end then
7 of 4011th November 2002
Jewelled denim is only acceptable on members of B*Witched
8 of 4016th November 2002
Did that corset just not fit correctly? Is that why it's wrapped over again?
9 of 4029th January 2003
Combat trousers, a fur gilet and heels should only ever be reserved for the lives of Gwen Stefani
10 of 4014th May 2003
Ouch and OUCH
11 of 4021st June 2003
Going to a rave with those glowstick bangles, Chezza?
12 of 4020th September 2003
After using 10 cans of Elnett, Cheryl opted for this look at the Disney Kids Awards in 2003. Not setting a good fashion example to children, now are we?
13 of 408th December 2003
Chery's actually done very well fashioning an outfit out of day-release chic. Check the chain and belt
14 of 407th April 2004
Cheryl stopped off at Walford market for some last minute accessories
15 of 4014th December 2004
Flares and hoodies were our favourite items when we were 14 too
16 of 4024th January 2005
Looking very happy despite losing all the buttons on her shirt
17 of 4013th March 2005
No, Cheryl was not on an exotic holiday. She was just at the Embassy Club in London
18 of 4023rd March 2005
Words fail us
19 of 4030th June 2005
Since when did 2005 even produce those geriatric heels?
20 of 4023rd July 2005
That's it, hitch up that skirt until it disaappears please
21 of 4018th August 2005
That poor cardigan has been stretched to oblivion
22 of 403rd December 2005
What lovely velvet knickers you have. We're pretty sure they're meant to go under your tights
23 of 4012th February 2006
Is that a bra? Or part of the dress? Either way it's not looking good
24 of 403rd April 2006
All dolled up for a night in Vegas. Except she's actually at the London premiere for Alien Autopsy
25 of 4021st May 2006
We can't say we've ever seen a whole roll of Sellotape put to such use before, but each to their own
26 of 409th June 2006
Deck shoes, a 90s style work shirt and a Mulberry = all a bit too try hard, Chezza
27 of 4012 June 2006
When Victoria Beckham invites you out to dins, it's probably best not to channel your inner teenage school hair 'do
28 of 4025th June 2006
What a classy look! Er, NOT
29 of 402nd July 2006
All white there, Cheryl?
30 of 4011th July 2006
You won't be floating on cloud nine in that bedsheet, love
31 of 407th September 2006
We can't imagine a more unflattering colour/material existing
32 of 409th October 2006
Now, Cheryl. It's not really acceptable to go around steeling children's hoodies is it?
33 of 4030th October 2006
Cheryl also wore this exact outfit to the Pride of Britain Awards in 2006 so it obviously wasn't a one-time style slip-up. Repeat offender!
34 of 4025th November 2006
Looking suspiciously like she's off to the prom for Kimberley Walsh's birthday party
35 of 409th December 2006
We didn't realise Chez was once an extra on Little Britain
36 of 4018th December 2006
We're not sure this is what power dressing shoule mean, Cheryl
37 of 403rd June 2007
Thank goodness this was a Girls Aloud private party. At least the majority of the world wasn't subjected to this atrocity
38 of 4016th September 2007
An old pair of nude tights is NEVER gonig to make a nice top
39 of 4021st November 2007
The glare from that frock seems to have scared everyone off
40 of 4010th December 2007
Definitely too sequined for school at the St Trinian's film premiere in London
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We’re told he understands that Cheryl’s life is rooted firmly in the UK, so he’s also not opposed to keeping up their co-parenting routine at a distance, but as he himself has admitted, FaceTime can be tricky. “They are very short chats,” he said earlier this year. “As you can imagine a three year old with a phone… all he wants to do is press the big red button [to hang up], so it’s been difficult.”
But our source says Cheryl’s worried that Liam’s underestimating just how hard it will be to spend family time together. “One option is for her to move to the US, too, because she doesn’t want him missing out on all of Bear’s milestones,” we’re told.
“Liam’s told her that she and Bear could have their own wing in his house, but realistically they’ve got their own life in the UK and are happy here. Cheryl also wants another baby and wouldn’t want to be away from her friends and family. She can’t help but feel as if Liam is choosing Maya over her and Bear, even though she knows that’s not the case.”
In January, Liam paid tribute to Cheryl, calling her “super-understanding” as he often has to go back on his plans to see Bear due to work commitments abroad. But according to our source, Cheryl’s patience is beginning to wane – and she’s worried about the negative impact a potential move to LA could have on her son’s relationship with his dad.
“Liam is used to being apart from Bear for long periods, but for him to be so far away permanently is something she’s really struggling to cope with.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - OUT NOW. Find out how to get hold of your copy from home here.