They may have split in 2018, but Cheryl and Liam Payne have always prided themselves on staying close for the sake of their four-year-old son Bear. What’s more, their bond has only been strengthened over the past 18 months, as travel restrictions meant that Liam spent more time close by.
But according to insiders, Cheryl’s peaceful family bubble could be about to be burst, as her baby daddy is considering upping sticks and moving to the US. And while the former Girls Aloud star is concerned about what this could mean for Bear, she also recognises that it could be the best thing for Liam – who’s reportedly been going through a patchy period in his work and personal life.
Now, we’re told, Cheryl is torn between supporting her ex and working out what’s best when it comes to their son.
“Liam’s career has stalled and his life is getting messy,” says an insider close to the Strip That Down singer, who was dropped from his management company last month amid concerns about heavy partying.
“Maya [Liam’s American fiancée] is encouraging him to move to Los Angeles ‘for a new start’. Liam’s admitted he feels burnt out and would love the opportunity to travel, but Cheryl’s devastated about what this means for her and Bear. Liam missed so much of Bear’s first couple of years as he was working away so much, and she doesn’t want her son to feel let down by his dad leaving again. Then again, she can also see what’s going on with Liam and can see he needs a fresh start.”
CHECK OUT the shocking celeb couples we never saw coming
Celebrity couples we never saw coming slider with cover pic
1 of 17Swipe through to see all the surprising celebrity couples we never saw coming...
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After her split from fellow Love Island star Marcel Somervillle, CBB star Gabby Allen announced she is now dating X Factor winner Myles Stephenson.
3 of 17Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Prince Harry and Suits actress Meghan Markle began dating in October 2016 and married in May 2018. Their first child is due in Spring 2019.
4 of 17Channing Tatum and Jessie J
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5 of 17Selena Gomez and The Weeknd
Nobody saw a romance between singers Selena Gomez and The Weeknd coming! But they went strong until October 2017 when the pair reportedly split up.
6 of 17Cheryl and Liam Payne
Cheryl and One Direction singer Liam Payne shocked the world when they announced they were dating back in February 2016. Despite a ten year age gap, the couple welcomed their first child, Bear Grey Payne, back in March 2017. However, in July 2018, Cheryl and Liam released a joint statement revealing they'd split.
7 of 17Katy Perry and Russell Brand
Katy Perry and Russell Brand married in 2010, much to the surprise of fans. Their marriage was short-lived, leading to a divorce in 2012.
8 of 17Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston
Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston were 2016's most talked about romance! Unfortunately, the couple went their separate ways a year later.
9 of 17Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna
Rob Kardashian started dating Blac Chyna in 2016, despite her previously dating Rob's sister's ex-boyfriend Tyga. They welcomed a baby girl together called Dream and later ended on very bad terms!
10 of 17Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews
Fans didn't expect Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews to become a couple! The pair met when they were filming for Channel 4 show The Jump in 2017, got married in June 2018, and welcomed son Theodore in September 2018.
11 of 17Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher
Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher married in 2010 after a six year engagement. Nobody saw this marriage coming with the unusual movie roles Sacha plays!
12 of 17Stephanie Pratt and Jonny Mitchell
Love Island star Jonny Mitchell and Made In Chelsea's Stephanie Pratt left fans in shock when they confirmed their romance with this picture in September 2017. Sadly, the couple have split in December 2017.
13 of 17Benji Madden and Cameron Diaz
Actress Cameron Diaz married Benji Madden just two months after she met him, despite many not seeing their romance coming.
14 of 17Nicole Richie and Joel madden
After starring in TV show The Simple Life with her best friend Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie turned a lot of heads when she married Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden in 2010! They share children Harlow and Sparrow.
15 of 17Chris Martin and Jennifer Lawrence
After his split from Gwyneth Paltrow, Coldplay singer Chris Martin was spotted getting cosy with The Hunger Games actress Jennifer Lawrence. Despite not actually confirming a romance, the pair reportedly called things off in 2016.
16 of 17Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Fans of actor Aaron Johnson were left in shock when he married Fifty Shades Of Grey director Sam Taylor. Despite Sam being 24 years older than Aaron, the pair combined their surnames when they got married in 2012. They now have two daughters together, Wylda and Romy.
17 of 17Mary-Kate Olsen and Olivier Sarkozy
Olsen twin Mary-Kate married French banker Olivier Sarkozy in 2015, despite a 17-year age gap between the pair.
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Earlier this year, fans went wild with speculation that the former couple were getting back together, after he briefly split from model Maya. At the time, Liam, 28, and Cheryl, 38, were pictured together at family outings, with insiders saying she was being a huge source of support to him.
But then Liam and Maya got back together, and while he and Cheryl have remained close, there’s also been a growing distance between them – especially since Liam’s much-reported partying has raised a lot of concerns over his parenting responsibilities.
And while neither Liam or Maya has confirmed that they’re considering a permanent move to the States, sources say Maya is keen to take the leap. But while Cheryl sees the benefit of him starting over, she’s worried.
“Cheryl is also feeling pretty burnt out and unsure of her next steps,” we’re told. “She’s hoping it all works out for the best, but she’s frustrated right now.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.