One Direction performed at the X Factor final in December of 2015 which is reportedly where Cole and Payne met each other once again. At the time, Cheryl was married to her second husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini. 2016 - Cheryl splits from second husband amid Liam Payne rumours and couple confirm relationship

One Direction star Liam Payne, who tragically died falling from the third floor of a hotel on Wednesday, proudly had a son called Bear, whom he shared with ex Cheryl

Cheryl always had a soft spot for her ex Liam Payne - even after he admitted he 'messed up' their relationship because he struggled with fatherhood

Referencing her previous relationships which include ex-husband Ashley Cole, Cheryl told The Sunday Times’ Style magazine that Liam Payne “is the only man who has ever been faithful”. Cheryl Cole appeared nonchalant when speaking about her split with Liam, saying she had found the “man of her dreams” - their son Bear.

Cheryl and Liam Payne were once one of the most talked about couples in the showbiz world, but despite their split, the former Girls Aloud singer has always protected her ex, and even said he was the

Liam Payne, who died on Oct. 16, shared his 7-year-old son, Bear, with his ex, singer Cheryl Cole. The former couple welcomed their child in March 2017, and had dated for two years before they called it quits in July 2018.

Though Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne’s romance did not pan out, they’ve were dedicated coparents to their son, Bear. The former Girls Aloud performer and Payne began dating in February 2015, nearly two years before Cole confirmed her pregnancy.