![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/nintchdbpict000285653872.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIT WAS the romance that caused a media storm – when X Factor judge Cheryl started a relationship with One Direction hunk Liam Payne.<\/p>\n
While they were together their age difference raised questions from fans, right up until the couple decided to part ways.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The pair first met when a young wannabe popstar Liam Payne auditioned on The X Factor back in 2009, where Cheryl was on the judging panel.<\/p>\n
He then went on to mega-stardom thanks to his time in One Direction.<\/p>\n
The pair – who have a ten year age gap – got together while Cheryl was going through her divorce to second husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini at the beginning of 2016.<\/p>\n
Despite their age difference they looked completely infatuated with each other when the couple made their red carpet debut at Cannes in May 2016.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Liam even paid a sweet tribute to his girlfriend by getting a tattoo of her eye on his arm.<\/p>\n The pair welcomed their baby on March 22, 2017.<\/p>\n Cheryl posted a picture on Instagram of Liam cradling their 7lb 9oz baby.<\/p>\n She captioned the sweet snap with: \u201cOn Wednesday Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy looking like a dream.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n One pal told The Sun: \u201cCheryl gave birth to a baby boy on Wednesday, and both are doing well.<\/p>\n \u201cLiam didn\u2019t leave Cheryl\u2019s side throughout the birth, and like her, he is besotted with their new son and can\u2019t wait to take him home.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is\u00a0the perfect Mother\u2019s Day for Cheryl.\u201d<\/p>\n The Sun revealed in May 2017, that the couple named their son Bear.<\/p>\n They decided on the unusual name after spending a week getting to know him.<\/p>\n Bear adopted his One Direction star dad\u2019s surname, so he is called Bear Payne.<\/p>\n A source revealed: \u201cCheryl and Liam wanted to get to know [their son] before they decided on the name.<\/p>\n \u201cThey didn\u2019t have the name Bear before the birth.<\/p>\n \u201cBut they\u2019d been thinking of a name since meeting him and they just felt it suited him."<\/p>\n In February 2018, The Sun broke the story that Liam's constant travelling to promote his solo career had placed a huge strain on the relationship, and they were ready to split.<\/p>\n That same month, Cheryl declared that "none of it matters" as she shrugged off questions about her crumbling romance with Liam during a BBC Breakfast interview.<\/p>\n They then put on a united front together at the Brit Awards, where they smiled on the red carpet and Cheryl joked about the couple's 'safe word'.<\/p>\n However, by July 2018,\u00a0Cheryl and Liam made the decision to split.<\/p>\n A pal told The Sun: \u201cCheryl and Liam worked really hard on their relationship \u2013 they had troubles earlier this year and were able to get through them.<\/p>\n \u201cBut they\u2019re in different stages of their lives and, after a lot of careful thought, came to a decision that it\u2019s best for everyone if they do go their separate ways."<\/p>\n Liam and Cheryl then released a statement confirming their break-up.<\/p>\n They posted a message on social media that read: "We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make.<\/p>\n \u201cWe still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together."<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/af-composite-cheryl-liam-alex.jpg\")
<\/picture>ONE PERFECTION <\/span><\/p>\nCheryl gives birth to first child with 1D star Liam Payne as pair reveal they’re ‘besotted’ with baby boy<\/h3>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/GETTY_Chopard-Trop_2861424a-1.jpg\")
<\/picture>She wears the trousers! <\/span><\/p>\nLiam Payne looks smitten as Cheryl takes the plunge in glittering jumpsuit<\/h3>\n
When was Cheryl and Liam's baby born?<\/h2>\n
Most read in celebrity<\/h2>\n
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What did Cheryl and Liam Payne call their baby boy?<\/h2>\n
When did Cheryl and Liam split and what happened?<\/h2>\n