IT WAS the romance that caused a media storm – when X Factor judge Cheryl started a relationship with One Direction hunk Liam Payne.
During their high profile romance, their age difference raised questions from fans, right up until the couple decided to part ways.
How long were Cheryl and Liam dating and what’s their age gap?
The pair first met when a young wannabe popstar Liam Payne auditioned on The X Factor back in 2009, where Cheryl was on the judging panel.
He then went on to mega-stardom thanks to his time in One Direction.
The pair – who have a ten year age gap – got together while Cheryl was going through her divorce to second husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini at the beginning of 2016.
Despite their age difference they looked completely infatuated with each other when the couple made their red carpet debut at Cannes in May 2016.
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Liam even paid a sweet tribute to his girlfriend by getting a tattoo of her eye on his arm.
When was Cheryl and Liam’s baby born?
The pair welcomed their baby on March 22, 2017.
Cheryl posted a picture on Instagram of Liam cradling their 7lb 9oz baby.
She captioned the sweet snap with: “On Wednesday Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy looking like a dream.”
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One pal told The Sun: “Cheryl gave birth to a baby boy on Wednesday, and both are doing well.
“Liam didn’t leave Cheryl’s side throughout the birth, and like her, he is besotted with their new son and can’t wait to take him home.
“This is the perfect Mother’s Day for Cheryl.”
What did Cheryl and Liam Payne call their baby boy?
The Sun revealed in May 2017, that the couple named their son Bear.
They decided on the unusual name after spending a week getting to know him.
Bear adopted his One Direction star dad’s surname, so he is called Bear Payne.
A source revealed: “Cheryl and Liam wanted to get to know [their son] before they decided on the name.
“They didn’t have the name Bear before the birth.
“But they’d been thinking of a name since meeting him and they just felt it suited him.”
When did Cheryl and Liam split and what happened?
In February 2018, The Sun broke the story that Liam’s constant travelling to promote his solo career had placed a huge strain on the relationship, and they were ready to split.
That same month, Cheryl declared that “none of it matters” as she shrugged off questions about her crumbling romance with Liam during a BBC Breakfast interview.
They then put on a united front together at the Brit Awards, where they smiled on the red carpet and Cheryl joked about the couple’s ‘safe word’.
However, by July 2018, Cheryl and Liam made the decision to split.
A pal told The Sun: “Cheryl and Liam worked really hard on their relationship – they had troubles earlier this year and were able to get through them.
“But they’re in different stages of their lives and, after a lot of careful thought, came to a decision that it’s best for everyone if they do go their separate ways.”
Liam and Cheryl then released a statement confirming their break-up.
They posted a message on social media that 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.”
Cheryl's ex-husbands and boyfriends
Before dating Liam Payne, Cheryl enjoyed romances with many other high profile men.
Ashley Cole
The pair first met in 2004 after they both moved into the same apartment block in North London and they were engaged within a year, and married by 2006.
However, during their marriage, the two were rocked by a string of infidelity allegations against the former Chelsea defender and the two finally split in 2010.
Derek Hough
Shortly after her first divorce came to an end, Cheryl was heavily rumoured to have been involved with Dancing with the Stars professional Derek Hough.
The two met in 2010 after he starred in her music video for her single Parachute
Tre Holloway
Cheryl dated US dancer Tre Holloway for over a year after first meeting when she performed her single Promise This on The X Factor in 2010.
After going public with the romance, the pop star was keen to talk about her new romance, admitting she was in love with the backing dancer– but they split in 2013.
Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini
Before dating Liam Payne, Cheryl’s second marriage was to businessman Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini.
They wed in July 2014 after a whirlwind three-month romance but they divorced in 2016.