What split? Cheryl and a VERY public show of affection
Cheryl Tweedy and liam Payne put on a defiant display of togetherness at the Brit Awards last night.
They arrived arm-in-arm on the red carpet at london’s O2 Arena and held hands as they posed for pictures.
Former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl, 34, and ex-One Direction star Payne, 24, have faced rumours, which she has denied, that their two-year relationship is in trouble.
The couple, who have an 11-month-old son Bear, shared intimate moments, giggling and whispering during their first public appearance together since October.
A day earlier, Cheryl had broken her silence on speculation that their relationship was on the rocks, insisting the pair are ‘great’ and the gossip ‘doesn’t bother’ her.
Both showed their support for the #MeToo campaign against sexual harassment. Cheryl, who wore a one-shoulder black ministar dress, carried a white rose while Payne pinned a white rose badge to his jacket.
Other celebrities backing the white rose campaign included Anna Friel, Kylie Minogue, rita Ora, holly Willoughby, Myleene Klass, ed Sheeran and Phillip Schofield, who was accompanied by his wife Stephanie lowe.
Actress Miss Friel, 41, took one of the badges being handed out by Brits organisers and pinned it to her sheer polka dot dress, which she wore over a black bodysuit. She had brought daughter Gracie, 12, who wore a strikingly similar if more modest gown.
Miss Minogue, 49, wore a gold silk gown and vibrant red coat with matching heels.
Singer Paloma Faith said too few male stars had shown support. ‘The only thing I’m upset about tonight is not more men carrying white roses. I think they should have.’
Dua lipa and Stormzy were the night’s big winners. Miss lipa, 22, was named British Female Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act, while grime Stormzy, 24, took British Male Solo Artist and Album of the year.
Gorillaz won Best British Group and ed Sheeran took the Global Success Award. Best Single went to rag’n’Bone Man for human, while Foo Fighters were named Best International Group. Kendrick lemar and lorde also picked up international awards.
Ariana Grande pulled out of her planned performance at the ceremony due to illness.
The US singer, 24, was supposed to perform in memory of the 22 fans who died during the attack following her concert at the Manchester Arena last May.
A Brit Awards spokesman said: ‘We think it’s really important to recognise that terrible atrocity and the impact on so many lives so I can confirm we did have Ariana Grande lined up to make a performance tonight.
‘Unfortunately she was not able to travel on doctor’s orders, she’s not well, and I can say that there will be something tonight.
‘And hopefully it will be a fitting remembrance and recognition of what happened, which was so terrible.’
‘Men should have held roses’