She’s bitten her tongue for far too long when it comes to her and Liam Payne’s former romance, but there’s only so much Cheryl can take – especially when he continuously and publicly drops her in it.
Now, we’re told, the singer’s ready to bite back.
According to insiders, Cheryl – who’s been increasingly active on the social scene in recent weeks – is gearing up for some sweet, sweet revenge, after being embarrassed by Liam, 26, one too many times.
And, like all dramatic pop stars, she’s doing it in song...with a little help from Zayn Malik.
"Cheryl’s finally had enough of the way that Liam seems to disrespect her in public," an insider close to the 36 year old tells heat. "But no matter what she does, he rarely seems to take notice anymore.
"So she’s approached Zayn Malik’s people about doing a possible collaboration – she insists it’s because he’s an incredible artist and that it would be great for her career, but she also know that it’s going to infuriate Liam.
"It will certainly ruffle feathers and grab his attention, but it’s only fair after everything he’s put her through.”
CHECK OUT: Cheryl and Liam Payne's relationship before it fizzled out
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]
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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
Last week, a defiant Cheryl hit the red carpet in a risqué gold dress at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards in London, after strutting down the catwalk earlier this month for L’Oréal.
Days before the Attitude party, she'd enjoyed a raucous night out at BFF Nicola Roberts’ birthday bash.
But while she’s maintained a plastered grin in public, we’re told she’s privately been fuming at what she feels is Liam’s increasingly disrespectful attitude towards her – speaking in interviews about how he’s finally found happiness with girlfriend Maya Henry, 18, and saying she’s “more relaxed” than his exes.
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He also said that duetting with Rita Ora last year – while he was still dating Cheryl – "didn’t do much for my personal life".
This coincided with recent reports that Cheryl had furiously texted Rita, accusing her of "inappropriate" behaviour, after she and Liam came close to kissing on stage mid performance.
Now, we’re told, Cheryl’s ready to give him a taste of his own medicine – and working with Zayn is a good place to start. After all, it’s public knowledge that there’s no love lost between Zayn and his former One Direction bandmates.
"Friends are worried that this could finish off communication between Liam and Cheryl for good," our source reveals. "But Cheryl feels that Liam is going to have to man up and just deal with it.
"It’s just business at the end of the day and it would massively boost her career. She feels as though Liam’s done enough stuff in the public eye without taking her feelings into consideration.
"After bringing up everything about Rita, his continued PDAs with Maya, and all the women he’s flaunted in the spotlight, Cheryl feels enough is enough.”
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There’s no doubt that Cheryl needs a boost to her career – she’s hardly set the charts alight over the past year. And working with Zayn would certainly stir a reaction, especially if they produce anything near as steamy as the video to his number one hit Pillow Talk, in which he and then-girlfriend Gigi Hadid left very little to the imagination.
It’s safe to say that Liam would take notice.
"Nothing’s been set in stone yet, but Zayn’s always thought that Cheryl has a good vibe," we’re told. "His people say he’s open to the idea of a collab and are looking at setting up some discreet meetings. He’s not bothered about what Liam thinks."
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