We all know a baby brings with it a whole new set of priorities that can take their toll on any parent – but particularly when you’re a 23 year old who just started dating your childhood crush.
Last week, Liam Payne opened up about his two-year relationship with Cheryl, revealing how having a baby early on in their romance “ruined” their relationship. In the interview with podcaster Logan Paul, the One Direction singer admitted he wasn’t prepared to be a dad to Bear, now five.
“You don’t know what’s coming and it’s different,” said the 28 year old, who started dating Cheryl in 2016, eight years after they met on The X Factor.
He continued, “And, to be honest with you, it ruined a relationship at that point – but for all the right reasons. I was so excited for him to be born that I was actually worried I wouldn’t love him enough.”
The couple then struggled through a difficult birth where Cheryl, now 38, “haemorrhaged quite badly”.
Cheryl and Liam confirmed their split in 2018, with the former Girls Aloud star stepping back from the spotlight to care for their son.
“He is all she cares about and I couldn’t ask for more,” Liam said.
“She’s the best mum in the world. I couldn’t ask for someone better. I get to take my son to school one or two times a week… The relationship we have now as friends has only grown more. We broke up for a reason and now she gives me full autonomy of my life, and to do what I do, and I know he’s taken care of.”