Liam Payne's tragic vow to son Bear as sweet yearly tradition with Cheryl revealed

Liam Payne and Cheryl had a sweet Christmas tradition with their son (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The music world is mourning the loss of One Direction's Liam Payne who passed away last month at the age of 31. Despite his breakup with Cheryl when their son Bear was just a baby, the duo pulled together to ensure they co-parented effectively, particularly over the festive period.

Liam once expressed the joy he felt sharing Christmas with Bear as the tot grew old enough to understand the festivities. Liaising amicably with his ex-partner Cheryl after their 2018 separation, the pair focused on creating magical Christmas moments for Bear, steeped in family warmth and rituals.

On a touching note during an interview on This Morning back in 2019, when young Bear was merely two and a half years old, Liam opened up about his plans to celebrate alongside Cheryl and Bear. The pop star's words were: "I'm going to go down and see Bear, maybe cook a Christmas dinner and just hang out with family. Yeah, we're going to go down and cook some food and hang out."

Liam and Cheryl welcomed son Bear in 2017 (Image: cherylofficial/Instagram)

In a poignant confession of his experiences as a young father during the holidays, Payne also shared: "I think it's the first time he really gets Christmas now. I want to see if he actually gets unwrapping presents this year though, because otherwise, it'll just be Cheryl by the tree again."

Liam let slip a lighthearted recollection from the previous year, recounting: "I can really remember it from last year, she wrapped them all up and then unwrapped them and I just sat there going, 'Right, what is this? ''", reports the Mirror.

Despite the end of their romantic relationship, Cheryl, 41, and Liam always spoke highly of each other, often commending each other's parenting abilities. The pair split shortly after their son Bear's first birthday but continued to co-parent amicably, even choosing to live near each other for convenience.

During an appearance on Logan Paul's podcast Impaulsive, Liam discussed their harmonious arrangement, stating: "I get to take my son to school one or two times a week and it's the best thing."

Liam Payne spoke about Christmas with Cheryl and Bear (Image: ITV)

"The relationship we have now as friends has only grown more. 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 he's [Bear's] taken care of. He is 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."

Following Liam's tragic passing, Cheryl shared a heart-wrenching statement reflecting on the reality that Bear would never see his father again.

She penned: "As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being. Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity; he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our seven-year-old son."

Liam and Cheryl ended their relationship in 2018 (Image: Getty)

"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 cannot protect him from that in his future."

Liam passed away on October 16 following a tragic fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Reports indicate that his body is set to be repatriated to the UK this week, with funeral arrangements expected to be announced shortly.