Liam Payne's heartbreaking reason for fresh start with Cheryl and son Bear

Liam Payne and Cheryl welcomed Bear in 2017 but split a year later

Before his tragic death at the age of 31, Liam Payne had made a pledge with ex-girlfriend Cheryl to co-parent Bear, their son. In a heartbreaking twist, the former One Direction member died after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he was on holiday with his partner Kate Cassidy.

The couple had been seen enjoying a performance by Niall Horan, Liam's friend from their time in 1D, shortly before the incident.

Following the terrible event, emergency services including police, fire brigade and paramedics were dispatched to the hotel. Witnesses reported that authorities were called following reports of someone behaving erratically inside the hotel, potentially under the influence of substances.

Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp

A body was discovered in the hotel's inner courtyard, and it is believed that hotel staff were the ones who contacted the authorities. The Mirror reports that Liam is thought to have fallen from a height, suffering "very serious injuries incompatible with life", reports the Liverpool Echo.

Liam Payne, who welcomed son Bear with former partner Cheryl in 2017, became a father at the age of 23. Though the couple split just a year later after two and a half years together, both have committed to co-parenting, despite Liam being spotted with Bear only on rare occasions.

In a heartwarming moment last March, Liam Payne shared an adorable photo of Bear on Instagram, captured in a bright yellow jacket, gazing up at a billboard featuring his dad's latest music project. Accompanying the image was the endearing caption: "I want to be on a billboard one day, Daddy."

A source has disclosed that following his break up with Cheryl, as well as personal challenges including rehab stints and battling mental health issues, Liam was eager for renewed connections with his ex-partner and their child, particularly with Cheryl’s impending tour and being on the road with Girls Aloud, OK! Magazine reported.

“We don't see a lot of Bear on Liam's social media but I think he wants to prove to Cheryl that he's getting his life together,” an insider previously said. “He really wants to be a good dad and with Cheryl now going back on tour with Girls Aloud, she'll be busier than ever and won't be at home as much."

Liam Payne was reportedly eager to prove to Cheryl that he could be a reliable father to their son Bear, particularly after facing significant emotional challenges. Having openly discussed the emotional scars from his early rise to fame and the difficulties following One Direction's hiatus in 2016, Liam had acknowledged that Bear's birth coincided with the end of his romantic relationship with Cheryl.

The history between Liam Payne and Cheryl dates back to when he first met her at his X Factor audition at just 14 years old, and years later confirmed their relationship in February 2016. After keeping fans waiting, Cheryl finally confirmed her pregnancy in a L'Oreal photoshoot, proudly showcasing her growing bump in a fitted black gown.

On Mother's Day 2017, Cheryl and Liam revealed the arrival of their child with matching Instagram posts, featuring Liam lovingly embracing their newborn. However, despite the initial joy, the relationship took a turn as Liam opened up about facing difficulties after Bear's birth.

In a podcast in June 2022, Liam spoke affectionately about Bear, calling him "a lovely, lovely boy", and praised Cheryl, saying, "She is the best mum in the world, I couldn't ask for someone better".

However, he admitted that the arrival of their son Bear "ruined" his and Cheryl's romantic chapter "for all the right reasons". In a candid reflection on the past year, the former One Direction star revealed a 100-day stay at an intensive rehab facility in Louisiana to heal old wounds.

Liam shared insights on his time away, saying: "I just needed to take a little bit of time out for myself actually, because I kind of became somebody who I didn't really recognise any more."