Cheryl: “I need to protect Bear”
As things heat up between Liam Payne and supermodel Naomi Campbell and he’s also linked to reality star Amber Davies, Cheryl worries about the impact on her family
❛ SHE WAS CALLED A COUGAR – BUT NO ONE’S INSULTING NAOMI. IT’S HUMILIATING ❜
Reports of Liam R Payne’s romance with Naomi Campbell have reached fever pitch, with claims the couple have been secretly dating for two months, that the singer was “head over heels” and that their “intimate time together has been mind-blowing”.
Just days after the reports, fresh claims surfaced that Liam, 25, had “bedded” former Love Island star Amber Davies late last year before spending new year with supermodel Naomi, 48, in Ghana. Pals suggested Amber, 22, and Liam are still in touch.
BIG AGE GAP
The sex revelations – along with Liam and Naomi’s 23-year age gap – have raised eyebrows and pals say no one is more shocked than Liam’s ex, Cheryl, 35 – mum to his 23-month-old son Bear, who they share custody of.
A source says, “Cheryl always knew Liam would eventually move on and meet someone else, but she didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, or for there to be such a big age gap.
“It’s only natural that she’d struggle with the revelations – especially the speculation over his ‘mind-blowing’ sex life with Naomi and reports about his prowess between the sheets. Then there are the secret dates with Amber – with trolls drawing a comparison between her and Cheryl. Not surprisingly, Cheryl worries about her name being dragged up every time Liam is linked to anyone. It’s humiliating.
“She also worries about what might come out next. Liam isn’t discreet and the older Bear gets, the more he’ll understand. She can’t help but worry she’ll have years of having to protect her son from scandalous stories.”
UNSETTLING
Liam has been famously open about his relationship with Cheryl in the press, saying he’d had “no complaints” from the Girls Aloud singer about the size of his manhood. He also spoke about his and Cheryl’s age gap, revealing she “doesn’t like to talk about it” and the following year referred to her as “old Chezza” in an interview.
And friends say seeing Liam – who’s been linked to a string of women since their split in July, including Instagram model Maya Henry, 18, model Cairo Dwek, 20, and Rita Ora, 28 – with someone older has been unsettling for her.
Pals add that Cheryl now feels annoyed for stressing so much about their 10-year age gap after it was seized upon by critics of their relationship.
The source says, “Cheryl realises she was a bit silly to worry so much about it and, looking back now, she’s annoyed with herself that she let it affect her.
“She was called a ‘cougar’ and ‘cradle-snatcher’ in the press and, frankly, that’s irritating when he’s now seeing someone who’s 23 years older than him and no one seems to be insulting her.”
INTIMATE DETAILS
Last month, Cheryl confirmed Closer’s reports that she’d spent Christmas with the One Direction star, adding how they’d been amicably co-parenting. But pals say the intimate details of Liam’s recent liaisons have unnerved Cheryl.
A source says, “Liam’s been respectful and he did mention he was seeing people, but Cheryl didn’t know it was Naomi or that it had been going on this long.
“Unsurprisingly, she’s a bit worried about how it will affect their dynamic – she’s anxious about him finding it difficult to make time for everyone. All she wants is to ensure there’s a way for Liam to continue their friendship and to carry on the set-up they have with Bear, despite whatever happens in his romantic life.”
After splitting with Liam last summer, Cheryl initially said she wasn’t interested in meeting anyone else, but just a few months later she performed a U-turn, revealing she was “open to meeting someone new.”
But pals say it stings a little not to have found anyone yet, while Liam is living life to the full.
The source adds, “It’s always hard to see your ex move on, but what makes it harder for Cheryl is that she’s yet to have any excitement in her love life. She’s keeping her options open and feels ready to date again.”