Inside Liam Payne and Cheryl's split after welcoming son Bear

Cheryl Cole meets Liam Payne at X Factor auditions

Liam Payne tragically passed away this week, but while he was alive, his relationship with Cheryl Cole's relationship was one that captured the attention of fans around the world.

However, despite the love they shared, the couple’s romance ultimately came to an end after two years together.

Their love story began long before they officially started dating, as Liam first met Cheryl during his lesser-known 2008 audition on The X Factor, where Cheryl was a judge.

At the time Liam was only 14, and it would be nearly a decade before their relationship turned romantic.

He has joked about the irony of them meeting so many years before they became an item, telling Esquire: "Let’s address the elephant in the room. Obviously, the future mother of my son is sitting in that chair.

"This is now an episode of How I Met Your Mother, so that’s enough of that I think."

The singers were first seen in public together in 2016 (Image: Getty)

Liam and Cheryl only reconnected down the line at the X Factor final in 2015 - and by May 2016, they made their red carpet debut as a couple.

Just one year later, the former Girls Aloud singer confirmed that they were expecting a child after weeks of speculation from fans.

The couple welcomed their son Bear to the world in March 2017, and both took to social media to express their joy.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Liam told followers: "My close friends and family know there are very few times when I’m left speechless… wow! I’m incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world.

"It’s a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favourite memory I have so far. I’m completely in awe of his incredible mother and how she has been the whole way through this, she’s really made my dreams come true."

Liam and Cheryl had a two year relationship before splitting up (Image: Getty)

Despite the joy of welcoming their son, the pressures of parenthood and life in the public eye caused a strain on their relationship.

In July 2018, the pair announced their split, with Liam posting on social media that it had been a difficult decision but emphasizing that they remained committed to co-parenting Bear.

He added that Bear was their world, and asked the public for some privacy as they began to navigate a new stage in their lives.

In the years following their break up, Liam reflected on the impact that becoming parents had on their relationship.

The pair had a baby together in 2017 (Image: Getty)

During an appearance on Logan Paul's Impaulsive podcast, he shared that the overwhelming feelings involved with becoming a father unintentionally caused problems between them.

He told the American influencer: "You don't know what is coming and it's different. 

"And to be honest with you, it ruined a relationship for me at that point but for all the right reasons. I was so excited for him to be born that I was actually worried if I wouldn't love him enough."

However, the pop singer praised Cheryl for being an incredible mother and expressed gratitude for the way she cared for Bear.

Cheryl has also spoken positively about Liam since their break up, describing him as the only man who had ever been faithful to her.

She also told the The Sunday Times’ Style magazine that the birth of their son completed her, adding: "I'm not looking for anything any more. I'm whole. I've got the man of my dreams."

They continued to have an amicable relationship as Bear's co-parents up until Liam's tragic death.

A devastated Cheryl has described her ex's passing as "earth shattering", telling followers: "Liam was not only a popstar and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our seven year old. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.

What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I can not protect him from that in his future.

I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them."