“We can be a family again!”
While she frets over what Nadine Coyle will say about her on I’m A Celeb!, ex Liam Payne’s show of support has made Cheryl rethink their relationship
In stark contrast to his usual gaffes while discussing his ex Cheryl, Liam Payne paid a touching tribute to her last week, admitting he will find it hard to see her move on with another man – and even refusing to rule out a romantic reunion between them.
Speaking to adventurer Ant Middleton in his documentary, Liam Payne: Straight Talking, the former One Direction star revealed how his struggles with global fame – after joining the band aged just 16 – had led him to alcoholism, and even contemplating suicide.
Pouring his heart out to Ant, Liam, 26, stressed it is his ex who he turns to during his “bad days”, revealing, “Cheryl is always there for me. I’m lucky enough to have someone who understands what I go through. She’s one of the most important people – if not the most important person – in my life.”
In the interview, filmed earlier this year, Liam even admitted he struggles with the idea of Cheryl, 36 – mum of their two-year-old son Bear
– getting another boyfriend. Then, when asked if they would get back together, Liam teased, “If she plays her cards right.”
And insiders say his kind words have comforted Cheryl at a stressful time, as her nemesis and ex Girls Aloud bandmate Nadine Coyle – who the former X Factor judge once branded as “full of s**t” – enters the I’m A Celeb! jungle.
HOME ALONE
A source says, “Cheryl was the biggest star to come out of Girls Aloud – but she’s nervous that Nadine could win over the public and knock her down in the process, airing her side to the story of their long-running bitterness, without Cheryl getting to reply. She is feeling particularly vulnerable at the moment, and as Liam is the person she speaks to the most – they’re sometimes in touch daily, making arrangements around Bear – she confided in him over how she’s feeling. There’s a real closeness between them right now.”
Liam’s words surprised Cheryl, as he has a habit of making reckless statements when discussing their relationship. He recently told singer Jessie Ware on her podcast Table Manners that he was frightened of Cheryl’s temper. He also called his current girlfriend of just two months, 19-year-old model Maya Henry, his “true love”, and credited her with being “relaxed”, while suggesting that Cheryl’s “struggle to get out the front door” due to anxiety had contributed to their split.
The source adds, “Although Liam can infuriate Cheryl by speaking out about their romance, she felt this most recent interview was quite sweet. She much prefers that side of him to the macho bravado he sometimes puts on for the public.
“They have a strong bond over their son. She always wanted a family, not just a baby, and when they’re at home – just the three of them – of course it makes her wonder what it could be like, especially as Liam is the last person she fell in love with. She’s not saying she wants to get back together, as such, but she’s told him she needs that feeling of having a family unit again, and she can get lonely when she’s home alone.”
NO-WIN SITUATION
Cheryl has also told pals that if she and Liam can put on a united front in public and show that they really are a happy family unit, it will do wonders for her public image. Liam, though, is unsure, as he doesn’t want to upset Maya, who was said to be “hurt” by Liam’s revelation that Cheryl is the most important person in his life.
Just two days after the documentary was aired, Liam attended a fashion show with Maya, holding her hand. The source adds, “Cheryl isn’t out to hurt Maya, but she thinks she deserves to be seen in a family capacity with Liam – because that is what they are and always will be. Liam is in such a good place with Cheryl now that he doesn’t want to rock the boat, either. He’s in a no-win situation with the women in his life, really.”
By Daisy McLure
CHERYL ISN’T OUT TO HURT MAYA – BUT SHE AND LIAM ARE A FAMILY AND ALWAYS WILL BE