Cheryl’s agony: “JB won’t let me move on”

As Cheryl tries to move on with boyfriend Liam Payne, insiders reveal her ex JB’S demands are causing her new heartache

She seems S absolutely smitten with boyfriend Liam Payne and celebrated her 33rd birthday with him at a low-key dinner last week. But while Cheryl appears to have her life back on track after splitting from husband Jean-bernard Fernandez-versini, 35, in December, insiders reveal the divorce talks are very tense.

Pals close to Cheryl say while the singer is keen to move on, the businessman has been asking for a face-to-face meeting before he agrees to a settlement.

REFUSING TO SPEAK

A source close to the star says: “Cheryl is desperate to focus on her future with Liam but JB wants to speak to her directly about the divorce settlement. She’s refusing to talk to him other than through lawyers, but he says it’s important they meet up before they come to an agreement.

“She had hoped the divorce would all be tied up by now so she’s frustrated JB is dragging it out. The last thing she wants to do is to meet up with him and argue.”

According to reports, JB has disputed Cheryl’s settlement offer – as well as her request for a confidentiality clause – and is now gunning for £3-5m after hiring a new legal team.

In recent weeks JB has been spotted at celebrity parties and insiders believe it’s a ploy to capture Cheryl’s attention.

A source says: “When they were together JB did attend events with Cheryl but was always in the background – now he’s making a point of being on the London scene. It’s a constant reminder to Cheryl that he isn’t going anywhere. She can’t understand why JB won’t let her go and never expected it could end up so acrimoniously.”

Cheryl and JB married on the island of Mustique in July 2014 following a whirlwind romance, but the marriage lasted less than two years, with Cheryl filing for divorce in early 2016.

Since then Cheryl has moved on with 1D singer Liam, 22, but friends say the JB situation is causing tension between the pair.

An insider reveals: “Understandably, Cheryl is feeling stressed that she can’t move on because of JB. It’s causing friction between her and Liam, which is the last thing she wants.”

BIRTHDAY PLANS

Despite her divorce drama, a defiant Cheryl put on a brave face as she celebrated her 33rd birthday with Liam and pals at London’s Coya restaurant last week.

The pair were joined by close friend Kimberley Walsh, 34, who is pregnant with her second child with husband Justin Scott, and fellow bandmate Nicola Roberts, 30, as well as Cheryl’s PA Lily England. Sharing pics of the night on Instagram, Nicola wrote: “Happiest Birthday to Bel… Love you so much.”

And while Cheryl has been inseparable from Liam since they started dating earlier this year, pals say she’s recently turned to friends for support since divorce talks with JB intensified, and has been feeling increasingly wary that he plans to speak out about their relationship.

A source says: “Cheryl has been going through a tough time lately so her girls were quick to rally around her to celebrate her birthday. They were there for her before JB and they’ve told her they’ll help her through this. They know just how much Cheryl wants to move on.”