Cheryl says death of Liam Payne is 'breaking her heart' over son Bear in powerful statement
Liam Payne tragically died aged 31 as reports said the hitmaker fell from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires. His ex Cheryl, with whom he shares a son, broke her silence after his death
by Daniel BirdAssistant Showbiz Editor, Zara WoodcockShowbiz Reporter · Irish MirrorLiam Payne's ex Cheryl Tweedy has broken her silence after the tragic death of the former One Direction singer.
The singer was on holiday in Buenos Aires, Argentina when he fell from the third floor of a hotel. Liam, who found fame with the mega-band, shared a son, Bear, seven, with singer Cheryl Tweedy. The former couple welcomed Bear in 2017, but the two split up the following year after two and a half years together. Liam and Cheryl kept Bear out of the spotlight but shared rare glimpses into their lives as parents.
After news of Liam's death was confirmed, Cheryl broke her silence with a heartbreaking statement. She said: "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 7-year-old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again."
READ MORE:Six signs of Liam Payne spiralling in final days - record label blow, dazed hook-up and hotel doom
The chart-topping singer went on to add: "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.
"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. Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last. Thank you, Cheryl."
It was reported that Liam fell from the third floor of a hotel building, with police, firefighters and ambulances seen outside the area. A body was found in an internal patio of the hotel and the police were called by the hotel manager. It's believed that Liam fell from around 13 or 14 metres and suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life".
Liam and Cheryl first met when he auditioned for The X Factor at 14 and in February 2016 they confirmed they were dating. Cheryl later kept fans guessing for months before revealing her pregnancy at a L'Oreal photoshoot in which she posed in a close-fitting black dress and cradled her bump.
The former couple confirmed they welcomed baby Bear on Mother's Day in 2017, with the two posting identical Instagram posts of Liam cradling their newborn. However, their relationship began to suffer following Bear's arrival.
Opening up on a podcast in June 2022, Liam said that Bear was "a lovely, lovely boy" and praised his ex, saying, "She is the best mum in the world, I couldn't ask for someone better." But Liam also confessed that for him, Bear's birth "ruined" his relationship with Cheryl "for all the right reasons".
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