It has been an unimaginably painful few months for Cheryl, who has been grappling with the loss of her ex-partner Liam Payne, as well as a stalking ordeal. But we are told that, in the face of adversity, her sole focus right now is ensuring son Bear has a magical eighth birthday later this month, particularly as it will be his first without his dad.
A source close to the Girls Aloud singer – who welcomed Bear on 22 March 2017 – says, ‘Cheryl is determined to go all-out this year for Bear’s birthday and planning has already begun. It feels like a very significant one, because not only will she have to deal with it being Bear’s first without his dad, but she also feels this is the last one of him being her “baby”.
'She feels she can just about get away with having parties like she used to throw him, but she can see how fast he is growing up and it will all change from now on. It’s been such a tough time for them and she’s so proud of Bear, so she’s going to really spoil him. She’d do anything for him.’
Cheryl’s two-year relationship with former One Direction star Liam ended in 2018, a year after they became parents. But they upheld an amicable co-parenting dynamic, and would often compliment one another in interviews post-split.
Liam said in 2022, ‘[Cheryl] is the best mum in the world. I couldn’t ask for someone better. 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 [Bear’s] taken care of. He’s all she cares about and I couldn’t ask for more. They live, like, three minutes from my house. I always glue myself to where he is. My life now is his. My money is his. He’s a lovely, lovely boy. We’ve been blessed.’
While Cheryl, 41, previously revealed, ‘Liam is a great dad. He’s much softer than me.’
After the pop star’s tragic death in October, aged 31, caused by a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony, his funeral took place a month later. Cheryl was pictured leaving the service with his parents, and it is also believed she helped them plan the funeral. Then, just weeks after Cheryl laid Liam to rest, a convicted killer who’d been served with a three-year restraining order against her months earlier breached it by turning up at the Buckinghamshire property she lives in with Bear. He is currently in prison awaiting sentencing.
Now, after all the pain she’s endured, our source says Cheryl’s determined to make Bear’s birthday one to remember. In 2022, Liam lifted the lid on how they celebrated him turning five, saying, ‘It’s the first time he’s actually aware it’s his birthday and what a birthday is. We threw him a really big party, and he had the best time.’
Cheryl is no stranger to a fun-filled birthday. Her own 40th celebrations in 2023 consisted of a glamping getaway in Suffolk, a helicopter ride with her mum, plus festivities with her Girls Aloud bandmates Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. So, we’re sure there is no one better qualified to throw Bear the ultimate bash than his doting mum.
Our insider adds, ‘Cheryl wants to make Bear feel as special as possible, and wants all of her and Liam’s family there, as well as Bear’s friends and her Girls Aloud bandmates. It’s going to be emotional for her, but she always sees his birthday as a fresh start because spring is coming. She can’t believe he’s going to be eight. It makes her upset how quickly he’s growing up, but they are like best mates.’
