Cheryl Cole is speaking out about the death of her ex-boyfriend, Liam Payne.
On October 16, the former One Direction band member died at 31 years old after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina. Two days later, the mother of his seven-year-old son, Bear, pleaded with her followers to grant the singer âdignityâ in the âwake of his death.â
âAs I try to navigate this earth-shattering event and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, Iâd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,â the 41-year-old singer and former member of Girls Aloud wrote on Instagram alongside a black-and-white photo of Payne and Bear. âLiam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.â
Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole began dating in 2016, eight years after meeting during Payneâs X Factor auditions at 14 years old. The pair split in 2018, just 16 months after welcoming their son in March 2017. âWe broke up for a reason and now, she gives me full autonomy of my own life to be able to go and do what I do and at the same time I know heâs been taken care of because heâs all she cares about,â Payne said on Logan Paulâs Impaulsive podcast in 2022. âYou couldnât ask for more.â
In her Instagram note, Cole reminded her followers that Bear will one day be able to see and understand the âabhorrent reports and media exploitationâ surrounding his fatherâs death, as well as any videos and comments left by fans during the frenzy. âAsk yourself if you would like your own child or family to read [your posts],â she wrote, adding, âPlease give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.â
You can read her full message, here:
Instagram/@cherylofficial
