Cheryl, Liam Payne and child - family facts

Cheryl and Liam's first meeting

The first time Cheryl and Liam met was during Cheryl's stint as a judge on The X Factor in 2008.

Then 14-year-old Liam auditioned for Cheryl, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, singing Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra. He even gave Cheryl a cheeky wink, which earned him a big smile.

"I think you’re really cute. I think you’ve got charisma and you give us that cheeky little wink," was Cheryl's feedback.

Cheryl and Liam’s relationship timeline

Naturally, Cheryl and Liam's relationship didn't blossom until 2015, when Liam was in his early 20s, and Cheryl her early 30s.

Liam was at the height of fame with boyband One Direction and had recently split from former girlfriend Sophia Smith, and Cheryl's 2nd marriage to John-Bernard Fernandez-Versini was coming to an end.

It was at The X Factor final in December 2015 that the couple were spotted looking friendly, and rumours began to circulate that they were dating.

The Sun confirmed the couple's relationship in February 2016, and Liam confirmed it on Instagram in March 2016, telling Cheryl: "I hope I make you as happy as you make me."

Liam and Cheryl quickly became known as 'Cheriam' to their fans.

Cheryl’s pregnancy

In October 2016, the rumour mill was rife with speculation that Liam and Cheryl were expecting their 1st child together.

Cheryl, Liam and the celeb pair's pals (like Cheryl's bestie Kimberley Walsh) were all keeping mum as to whether or not the rumours were true.

However, despite the fact Cheryl refused to comment, it was widely accepted in November 2016 that Cheryl was expecting, after a 72-hour whirlwind of 'confirmations' and 'congratulations' from pals and a series of telling pap shots.

We didn't see much of the star's bump, though, as she was careful to avoid the gaze of the paparazzi.

So, fans were delighted in January 2017 when a hairstylist's social media slip-up gave us a glimpse at her 3rd trimester pregnancy tum.

(And a Silver Cross van was spotted delivering all kinds of goodies to her house.)

And Cheryl not-so-subtly confirmed the news herself in February 2017, with a L'Oreal photoshoot featuring her ready-to-pop bump in all its glory.

Post-baby, Cheryl confessed that she 'hated' being pregnant and said there was a lot going on which meant she couldn't fully enjoy it.

Bear Grey Payne

On 22 Mach 2017, Cheryl gave birth to a baby boy.

She announced the news on Instagram: “On Wednesday 22nd March, Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy, weighing 7lb 9oz and looking like a dream.

“Although he still doesn't have a name he is already stealing hearts. We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival."

It was later revealed that they'd chosen the name Bear Grey Payne for their newborn son, after spending a week 'getting to know him' and his personality.

Though Liam later admitted that it wasn't his fave name choice, and that really, he'd left the final decision up to 'the Mrs'.

Cheryl and Liam's split

On 2 July 2018, Liam and Cheryl confirmed they had decide to go their separate ways after 2.5 years together. They were last seen together at the Brit Awards in February 2018.

"We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways," the former couple wrote in a join statement on social media.

"It's been a tough decision for us to make. We 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."

There's no word yet on any custody arrangements for one-year-old Bear. Wishing both Liam and Cheryl the very best

Images: Instagram/Cheryl, Instagram/Liam Payne