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With Cheryl continuing to lean on ex Liam Payne as the furore around her comeback continues, she now fears their friendship will change when he gets a serious girlfriend
Things have T remained amicable between the pair since their split back in July. And last week Cheryl and Liam Payne’s closeness was solidified further when his sister, Ruth, Tweeted her support for the Girls Aloud star after attending Hits Radio Live to watch her perform her new single, Love Made Me Do It.
Closer recently reported how Cheryl, 35, was turning to Liam, 25 – with whom she shares 20-month-old Bear – for support after an onslaught of criticism following her return to the spotlight.
But insiders reveal how the singer is worried she’ll lose that close connection once he meets someone else.
A source explains, “Liam’s been Cheryl’s rock over the past few weeks and it’s proved to her just how much she’s come to rely on him. Right now, she can call or text him any time she likes, but she knows that as soon as he gets a steady girlfriend, their relationship dynamic will change and, naturally, Liam may start to distance himself from her, which she’s scared of.”
NEGATIVE REPORTS
Last week, Liam commented “wow” on Instagram, under a picture of Cheryl’s pal Kourtney Kardashian in her lingerie. And insiders say it’s fuelled Cheryl’s worst fears.
As Closer previously reported, Liam has been supporting Cheryl after a stream of negative reports against the singer. Last week, it was claimed she wasn’t given a role in West End musical Chicago because of her “diva demands” – with the part being given to TV presenter Caroline Flack instead – a claim her rep fiercely denied.
Days later it was incorrectly reported that she made everyone clear her dressing room and all the surrounding areas ahead of her first arena performance in four years – refusing to pose for more than a few pictures and only speaking to one journalist. Her reps denied this, but fans continued to slate her online.
The twice-divorced star recently swore-off dating forever, saying, “That area has just stopped. That’s not happening any more, it’s the end. I’ve got the man in my life now,” referring to her son.
But despite Cheryl’s selfimposed relationship-ban, Liam’s been linked to a string of women since their split, including talent agent Jess Moloney, model Cairo Dwek and Instagram star Maya Henry. There were also rumours he was growing close to singer Rita Ora, who he duetted with on the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, For You.
Cheryl has a habit of staying close to her exes. She was spotted kissing first husband Ashley Cole a year after their bitter divorce at her birthday celebration in 2011, and vowed to always love him, despite his repeated infidelity. She also remained close friends with ex Derek Hough after they parted ways that same year and attended mutual pal Will.i.am’s Christmas party with ex Tre Holloway after their split in 2013.
But despite her amicable break-ups, her divorce from her second husband, Jean-bernard Fernandez-versini, in 2016 was embroiled in bitterness – with the restaurateur revealing how he hated Cheryl’s “mad world”. Now friends say Cheryl is doing everything within her power to ensure that doesn’t happen with Liam and is vowing not to let anyone come between them.
STAYING CLOSE
The source says, “Cheryl’s been making an extra effort with Liam’s family to ensure she stays close to his entire network. She’s been sending them regular snaps and videos of Bear, is being flexible when it comes to Liam spending time with his son and is even inviting Liam and his family to spend Christmas with them. She refuses to let anything affect their friendship, not even a future girlfriend. She’s adamant she won’t lose Liam to another woman. She’ll be happy for him, but she’s not going to allow it to jeopardise what they have.”
Despite Liam putting his foot in it during their relationship by revealing Cheryl never paid him compliments and that their relationship was a “struggle”, he has also gushed about the singer – calling her his “dream girl”, while Cheryl described him as “the most amazing daddy and the best example for our son.”
And while they’re just friends for now, pals tell Closer how they wouldn’t rule out the chance of a reunion. The source adds, “Cheryl and Liam still love and respect each other, and while Cheryl’s vowed to remain single for now, there’s still a chance a romance could spark up again if they’re both single and when their careers start to calm down.”
❛THERE’S STILL A CHANCE ROMANCE COULD SPARK UP AGAIN IF THEY’RE SINGLE❜