When Girls Aloud announced their reunion in November, many fans hoped it would lead to a brand new chapter in the Whole Lotta History of the iconic girl group. But not many could predict that the tour would lead to a new romance for Cheryl and thoughts of a new sibling for her seven-year-old son Bear.
A source tells heat that 40-year-old Cheryl is taking the lyrics of their hit Love Machine literally and has reignited an old flame with a member of the tour crew – with bandmates Kimberley Walsh, 42, Nadine Coyle, 39, and Nicola Roberts, 38, giving their seal of approval.
The insider says, “Cheryl’s been enjoying a ‘flirtathon’ with one of the tour crew, which has ignited a spark inside her and has made her feel excited about the future again. They met years ago when they were both in relationships and as soon as they saw each other again during rehearsals, there was an instant chemistry between them that was clear to everyone.
“While Cheryl initially tried to play it down, the girls knew she was really into him and Nicola said she hadn’t seen her light up like that in a long time – even becoming shy at points and admitting she felt nervous whenever she was around him, like a smitten school girl.”
Cheryl has famously been unlucky in love, with her first marriage to Ashley Cole ending after four years when the footballer was hit with cheating allegations. She went on to marry restaurateur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in July 2014 just a few months after meeting him, but they split in October 2015.
It was her relationship with former One Direction singer Liam Payne that led to her son Bear, but Cheryl and Liam parted ways in June 2018, shortly after Bear’s first birthday.
Despite her relationship woes, Cheryl has been open about wanting “at least two” siblings for Bear, even saying in 2020 she would consider using a sperm donor to help her conceive her second child. And as the tour draws to a close, our insider says Cheryl is weighing up her options about the future after loving spending time with Kimberley and Nadine’s children on the road. In fact, Cheryl and Bear took a mid-tour getaway to Cumbria with Kimberley and her sons Bobby, Cole and Nate.
“This tour has been like a reawakening for Cheryl, getting back into the passion she has for dancing and performing on stage,” the source adds. “But it’s also made her readdress where she’s at in life and what her next steps are. Behind the scenes of the tour, it’s been like having a mini-family and it’s made Cheryl massively broody again. Being around Kimberley’s boys and Nadine’s daughter Anaíya is making Cheryl yearn for a bigger family for herself and she doesn’t feel overwhelmed by the idea of going through another pregnancy. Cheryl has never felt stronger health-wise. She’s 40, but has the energy of a 20 year old. Feeling the love from fans has given her a real confidence boost.”
We’re told Cheryl has never ruled out having a baby on her own, but with a new romance on the cards, family is certainly on her mind.
“She’s always wanted Bear to have a sibling,” our source explains. “Cheryl can’t quite believe how quickly the time has gone in the seven years that she’s had him. She has been chatting with the girls about how having a baby has that magic feeling of being able to stop time in its tracks and she wants to feel that again. Being so fit on stage, as well as juggling motherhood, has made Cheryl feel like a total rock star who can do anything.
“She’s told the girls that there’s going to be some big decisions to be made about her family dream and she’s really excited.”
