Let’s face it, not many people want to spend Christmas Day with their ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend, but then, Cherylisn’t most people. The singer has invited Liam Payne – father of her two-year-old son Bear – over to her house to celebrate the big day with them and all of her extended family. But as Liam’s teenage girlfriend Maya Henry will be in London with him over the holidays, Cheryl has extended the invite to her, too, even though she knows it might make for a bit of an awkward time.
“While Cheryl and Liam have tried to keep on good co-parenting terms, going this far has surprised a few people,” our insider says.
“But for Cheryl, she knew Liam would want to see Bear. So, rather than taking him to his dad’s house, she decided to host a special family day. Cheryl is taking deep breaths – it’s going to be challenging, sitting there with her ex and his new love, having to be all cheerful while knowing they feel a little sorry for her being on her own. But the alternative was worse.”
Although Cheryl, 36, will be very welcoming to Maya, she is setting some rules – she wants to make it clear who’s boss. She’s also well aware that Maya, 19, is the daughter of a billionaire, so wants to nip any planned extravagances in the bud.
NOW WATCH: “I’ve never been this naked in public” 👀 – Vicky Pattison becomes a Geordie J-Lo
“Cheryl feels she’s being very accommodating, but this is her house and her Christmas, so what she says goes,” we’re told.
“She doesn’t want Liam and Maya spoiling Bear and outdoing her gifts. Obviously, Liam will want to get his son great presents, but Cheryl doesn’t want Maya buying Bear some huge expensive gift just from her. She also wants her to muck in with all the Christmas duties and not just sit there and expect to be waited on.
“The other thing Cheryl doesn’t want is them being all over each other and making her feel uncomfortable in her own home. She’s also said they can’t get there too early, because she wants to spend some special time with Bear and her family – which includes her mum Joan, brother Gary, and lots of her nieces and nephews.”
CHECK OUT Cheryl and Liam Payne's relationship timeline
RADIO Cheryl and Liam relationship timeline slider with cover pic
1 of 31Swipe through to see Cheryl and Liam Payne's complete relationship timeline...
2 of 31December 2015
During the final of The X Factor 2015, when Cheryl was a judge on the show, Liam was spotted dancing with the singer to Jason Derulo's track 'Talk Dirty To Me' after the show ended. Despite looking very friendly together, nobody suspected a relationship between the two.
3 of 31February 2016
Cheryl uploaded a photo of herself getting ready for The BRIT Awards in 2017, with Liam commenting on her photo with the cheeky caption, 'See you there babe!'.
4 of 31February 2016
Despite rumours circulating that the pair could be dating, Cheryl and Liam walked the BRITs red carpet separately in 2016. Instead, Liam was joined by his former One Direction band mate Louis Tomlinson.
5 of 31February 2016
It's official! On the last day of February in 2016, Liam and Cheryl made their relationship public when Liam updated his social media photos to this cute snap.The singer also updated his social media bios to read, 'Happy'.
6 of 31March 2016
Cheryl and Liam went Instagram official when Liam uploaded this photo of the pair posing in the back of a car.
7 of 31March 2016
Liam sent 'Cheriam' fans into complete meltdown when he shared a photo of Cheryl to his social media accounts to celebrate International Women's Day.Alongside the photo, he wrote the cute caption of, 'Happy #internationalwomensday to my favourite woman in the world ud83dude18ud83dude18 hope I make you as happy as u make me X'. [sic]
8 of 31March 2016
Cheryl and Liam made their first public appearance together in March 2016. Looking incredibly loved up, the pair enjoyed a meal together at a restaurant in London, with Cheryl sporting a massive necklace with the word 'love'.
9 of 31April 2016
After only a few months of dating, Cheryl's friend and former X Factor boss Simon Cowell spoke about her romance with Liam.He said, "I saw them together and we had a really nice dinner [...] They were on good form. They're like two little chipmunks madly in love. Literally they were so cute. But importantly they both seemed very happy over here and very relaxed. I'm happy for them."
10 of 31July 2016
Cheryl and Liam moved in together, with Cheryl announcing the news with a funny message on Instagram. Sharing this photo of Liam with her beloved dog, she wrote, 'Our new family member ud83dudc36ud83dude01ud83dude0dud83dude2d he is beyond cute.. ud83dude29 the dog is adorable too ud83dude0f @toosmallforteacups thank you ❤ufe0f. [sic]
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
11 of 31May 2016
Cheryl and Liam made their first ever red carpet appearance during the Global Gift Gala in Paris, France.Gazing into each other's eyes, the couple looked more loved up than ever.
12 of 31May 2016
Liam posted a selfie of the pair on a private jet travelling to France ahead of the Cannes Film Festival.
13 of 31May 2016
The couple made their second red carpet appearance in just one month when they appeared at the Cannes Film Festival.Liam was supporting Cheryl who was attending the event as part of her brand ambassador role for L'Oreal.
14 of 31October 2016
Cheryl's divorce from her ex-husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini was finalised, with the former couple being granted a 'quickie divorce'.
15 of 31September 2016
Rumours started in the press that Cheryl was pregnant with Liam's child after she was spotted with a 'fuller figure' at a L'Oreal event in Paris.
16 of 31September 2016
Liam fueled the pregnancy rumours even further when he changed his Instagram bio to read, 'The luckiest man alive'. He then uploaded this cute photo of the pair wearing face masks, declaring how much he misses his girlfriend. He wrote, 'I miss you!...the things you make me doud83eudd13ud83dude0b home soon!'.
17 of 31November 2016
After months of rumours surrounding her pregnancy, Cheryl and Liam seemed to confirm them when they stepped out hand-in-hand at the Fayre of St James' Christmas Concert in London.Cheryl made the decision to leave her long coat open as she 'showed off' her small baby bump to fans and press.
18 of 31February 2017
It's official - Cheryl and Liam are having a baby! After not attending The BRIT Awards in 2017, Cheryl seemed to confirm her pregnancy once and for all when she posed in a photo holding her large bump for a new L'Oreal campaign.
19 of 31December 2016
Amidst all of the rumours, Cheryl and Liam posted some playful selfies to their social media accounts to celebrate their first ever Christmas together.
20 of 31March 2017
After months of speculation, Cheryl and Liam confirmed to the world that they've welcomed a baby boy called Bear Grey Payne.Revealing he was born on Wednesday 22nd March, Cheryl wrote, 'Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy, weighing 7lb 9 and looking like a dream. Although he still doesn't have a name he is already stealing hearts. We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers around the world. A day that now has a different meaning to me forever ud83dudc99'. [sic]
21 of 31June 2017
Breaking her social media silence for the first time since welcoming baby Bear, Cheryl uploaded a snap of Liam to wish him a Happy Father's Day.She wrote, 'Happy 1st Father's Day Liam.. You are the most amazing daddy and the best example for our son. The way he looks at you says it all. Your relationship melts my heart. You are the centre of his world & We adore you ud83dudc3bud83cudf0eud83dudc99'.
22 of 31July 2017
After months of staying out of the public eye, Cheryl shared a cute photo of herself and Liam enjoying a date night without baby Bear.
23 of 31October 2017
As Liam started to release his debut solo music, including songs like 'Strip That Down', 'Get Low' and 'Bedroom Floor', Cheryl couldn't resist gushing about her man's handsome looks.Sharing this photo, Cheryl wrote, 'I had to .. I mean ud83dudc40 come onnnn ud83dude29ud83dude0d'.
24 of 31February 2018
After months of no social posts and no public appearances, fans started to think Liam and Cheryl were having relationship issues.That was until Liam posted this adorable photo of his son Bear to help wish Cheryl a Happy Valentine's Day. He wrote, 'Happy Valentine's Day @cherylofficial and everyone. looks like I've got the big guy to compete with now ud83eudd37ud83cudffb♂ufe0fud83dude02ud83dude02ud83dude02'.
25 of 31February 2018
Stories in the press suggested Liam and Cheryl's relationship had come to an end due to the pair's busy work schedules.
26 of 31February 2018
Cheryl sent fans into meltdown when she appeared to be wearing an engagement ring on her ring finger as she met Prince Charles.Representatives for the couple later explained Cheryl's choice of jewellery was simply 'costume jewellery'.
27 of 31February 2018
Shutting down split rumours, the couple attended The BRIT Awards 2018 together, putting on a very loved up display on the red carpet.
28 of 31February 2018
After certain news outlets claimed Cheryl and Liam's public display of affection at The BRIT Awards 2018 was a 'stunt', Cheryl angrily hit back on Twitter, calling it 'ludicrous and weird'.
29 of 31May 2018
Liam spent a lot of time in America as he promoted his solo music, leaving Cheryl and Bear at home.
30 of 31June 2018
After not being seen together for four months, fans started to speculate a split when Liam failed to publicly address Cheryl's birthday on the 30th June.
31 of 31July 2018
After two years together, on Sunday 1st July both Cheryl and Liam announced they had split. Releasing a joint statement on Twitter, it read, 'We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make. 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.' [sic
Read more celeb news:
Most complained about TV scenes of the decade revealed - and there are some shockers
Cheryl gives fans rare glimpse of son Bear and glamorous home
For her part, Maya is happy to oblige, but had to be persuaded to go in the first place by Liam, 26. This probably wasn’t exactly how she imagined their first Christmas together would be.
“Maya was not best pleased initially – an invite to play happy families with his ex-girlfriend is not the most romantic first Christmas together – but she’s OK with it now, as it means she’s officially in Bear’s life,” our source continues.
“To be honest, she’s been secretly dying to check out Cheryl properly anyway. Maya has met Bear before – she and Liam live together now, so that was bound to happen naturally.
“Nobody is expecting Maya and Cheryl to become best friends, but everyone’s hoping they’ll be able to get along this Christmas, especially for Bear’s sake.”
For more celeb stories buy this week's heat mag - out now.