Last week, a headline stated that Cheryl and Liam Payne agreed that he should take some time away from their son, Bear. The pop star was clearly furious at the insinuation that he was some sort of absent father, and he took to Instagram to fight back.
Liam wrote, “Usually I let these things slide but this is completely out of context... I couldn’t see my son because of the worldwide pandemic that is happening not because I had anything wrong with me like this headline hints at.”
And we’re told that Liam is now determined to show Cheryl and the world that Bear is his priority.
“Liam has made a pledge to Cheryl and Bear to be as present as he can be,” an insider close to the 26 year old tells heat. “He hates the idea that people think he’s a hands-free father and has told Cheryl he will do everything it takes to be there for them both. He wants to show up and be part of the family – he knows lockdown is tough on both of them.”
The interview which sparked the shock headline took place during the first national lockdown but was only published last week – and Liam spoke about how tough it was to be away from his three-year-old son.
Check out: the celebs expecting babies in 2020
Celebrities expecting babies 2022 - radio stacked
1 of 26Gogglebox's Georgia Bell
Gogglebox star Georgia has announced she's expecting her first child with boyfriend Josh. Taking to Instagram to bring in 2022, Georgia, 21, posted an adorable snap of a framed baby scan that read: 'Baby Newby Due July 2022.'
2 of 26Nicolas Cage and Riko Shibata
Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage and his fifth wife Riko Shibata announced in January 2022 that they are expecting their first child together. The pair met in 2020 and got married in 2021.
3 of 26Katie Salmon
Love Island 2016 star Katie Salmon announced she was pregnant with her first child with fiancé Harry in January, telling fans that she was already six months pregnant and has been keeping her lovely news a secret.
4 of 26Lauren Goodger
After welcoming her daughter Larose in July 2021, reality star Lauren Goodger announced in January 2022 that she's pregnant with her second child! Although admitting the pregnancy was a shock, Lauren revealed herself and boyfriend Charles are very excited!
5 of 26Shay Mitchell
Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell announced she's expecting her second child with her boyfriend Matte Babel, just weeks after announcing the sad death of her grandmother.
6 of 26Lottie Tomlinson and Lewis Burton
Louis Tomlinson's younger sister Lottie announced she's expecting her first child with her boyfriend Lewis Burton in February.
7 of 26Alexandra Burke and Darren Randolph
Former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke announced she's expecting her first child with her footballer boyfriend Darren Randolph. The pair confirmed their baby is due in June 2022.
8 of 26Chloe Madeley and James Haskell
Chloe Madeley announced she's expecting a baby girl with her husband James Haskell in February!
9 of 26Nicola Adams and Ella Baig
Professional boxer Nicola Adams and her girlfriend Ella Baig are expecting their first child together after going through the process of IVF. The couple announced their lovely news in February, revealing in April that they are expecting a baby boy!
10 of 26Michael Bublé and Luisana Lopilato
Michael Bublé confirmed his wife Luisana Lopilato is pregnant in an Instagram post following the 'reveal' in a music video where fans could see her baby bump. Despite revealing the baby bump some fans thought it might just be for the video, so he confirmed it in a post saying: 'Ooops! We did it again ud83eudd2d… bebit@ en camino ud83dudc9b✨ud83eudd30ud83cudffc❤ufe0f' (sic)The second part of the caption translate as 'baby on the way'.
11 of 26Michael Sheen and Anna Lundberg
Welsh actor Michael Sheen announced in early March that his girlfriend Anna Lundberg was pregnant with the couple's second child.
12 of 26Jess Shears and Dom Lever
Love Island series 3 stars Jess Shears and Dom Lever announced in March they are expecting their second child together, another baby boy!
13 of 26Ray Quinn and Emily Ashleigh
Former X Factor and Hollyoaks star Ray Quinn announced in March his fiancée Emily Ashleigh is pregnant with the couple's first child.
14 of 26Joe and Rosie Wicks
The Body Coach Joe Wicks MBE and his wife Rosie announced in March they are expecting their third child together, posting this cute snap on Instagram!
15 of 26Leona Lewis and Dennis Jauch
Former X Factor winner Leona Lewis announced in March she's expecting her first child with her husband Dennis Jauch.
16 of 26Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas
After months of rumours, Sophie Turner confirmed she's expecting her second child with Joe Jonas when she debuted her bump at The Oscars Vanity Fair party at the end of March.
17 of 26Charlotte Crosby
Reality star Charlotte Crosby announced in April she's expecting her first child with her boyfriend Jake Ankers. In the post on Instagram, Charlotte filmed herself telling the happy news to her family.
18 of 26Tayah Victoria and Adam Aveling
Married At First Sight UK couple Tayah Victoria and Adam Aveling announced they are expecting their first child together, just weeks after celebrating one-year since meeting on the show. The pair have since announced they are expecting a baby girl.
19 of 26Tuppence Middleton
Downton Abbey star Tuppence Middleton, who plays Lucy Branson in the franchise, announced she's expecting her first child, showing off her blossoming bump at the Downton Abbey: A New Era premiere on Monday 25th April.
20 of 26Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Osbourne announced in May that she's expecting her first child with her boyfriend, Slipknot star Sid Wilson, sharing the lovely news on social media.
21 of 26Christina Perri
Singer Christina Perri and her husband Paul Costabile shared the lovely news that they are expecting another baby. Christina posted an adorable video of their daughter Carmella opening a box to reveal the sonogram and her caption revealed that the couple are expecting a baby girl!
22 of 26Maeva D'Ascanio and James Taylor
Made In Chelsea couple Maeva and James announced at the end of May that they are expecting their first child together, with a due date of November.
23 of 26Heidi and Spencer Pratt
Reality TV stars Heidi and Spencer Pratt announced in June they are expecting their second child together! The couple, who appeared on The Hills, dubbed the news a 'miracle baby'.
24 of 26Jorgie Porter and Ollie Piotrowski
Months after miscarrying quadruplets, Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter and her fiancé Ollie Piotrowski announced in June the lovely news they were pregnant again.
25 of 26Tanya Burr
YouTube star Tanya Burr announced in June that she was pregnant with her first child, with her mystery boyfriend. Sharing an image of them cradling her blossoming baby bump, Tanya wrote: 'We love you so much already little ud83eudd5c'.
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26 of 26Billie Faiers and Greg Shepherd
Reality TV star Billie Faiers and her husband Greg Shepherd announced in June they were expecting their third child together. The couple are already parents to daughter Nelly and son Arthur.
“He said something quite sad the other day. He was like, ‘Come on, Daddy, we need you now.’ So those moments are really difficult. It’s the longest I haven’t seen him in his life.”
Liam, who lives in London with fiancee Maya Henry, added, “We discussed from the start and for different reasons, me and Cheryl decided I should be away for a little bit. It’s not unusual for me to be in and out of his life.”
Liam also admitted in the interview that his and Cheryl’s decision to keep Bear out of the public eye has meant his fans don’t really see his role as a father, although it can be a positive. “It’s nice to kind of lead a double life in that sense,” Liam explains.
“I get to be a dad and a have family in that way… That’s mine for my own, except for Cheryl and Bear. That’s a completely different scenario [to being a pop star]. It’s nice because it feels normal.”
Our insider tells us ultimately Cheryl is delighted Liam wants to be even more hands-on.
“She feels as though the ball is back in her court now. She feels Liam needs to learn a lesson from all this but of course she is welcoming any support she can get – she loves having Liam back on side.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - OUT NOW.