“This baby has finally put an end to all my heartache”
After announcing the arrival of her son, pals say Cheryl is living in a blissful baby bubble – and has put her painful past behind her
After one of the A most talked about celeb pregnancies ever, Cheryl and Liam Payne finally announced she’d given birth to a 7lb 9oz baby boy last week, with Cheryl saying: “He’s already stealing hearts,” and Liam, 23, joking: “When the fourth nappy happens in 5 minutes.”
Pals say Cheryl, 33, is overjoyed to finally be a mum and is retreating into a baby bubble – relishing the first few precious weeks.
SPECIAL TIME
A source says: “Cheryl and Liam are holed up at his Surrey mansion enjoying this special time. Cheryl is besotted. She’s joking she doesn’t even want to wash her hair as it’d take her away from him for too long. She’s happy just staring at him, and stroking his face. Liam is being the proud father. “Cheryl can’t disguise her absolute joy and has made it clear her whole world is now about the baby. Liam is doing everything he can to make things as easy as possible for her. He’s been helping out with the nappies, making her cups of tea and stocking up the fridge with her favourite things. He’s also bringing in a private chef to cook her tasty and nutritional meals and has a baby sleep expert on hand should Cheryl need extra support. But he’s been amazed at how well she’s taken to motherhood. She’s a natural.”
The source adds: “Liam even organised for a beautician to come over and pamper Cheryl when she’s ready and he’s encouraging her to go for walks and not be cooped up inside for too long.”
Cheryl gave birth at the £8,520-a-night luxury private ward at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. She posted a cute picture of new dad Liam cradling their son, announcing on Instagram on the evening before Mother’s Day: “We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival.”
The birth comes just five months after her divorce from second husband Jean-bernard Fernandez-versini was finalised after a two-year marriage. Cheryl’s four-year marriage to footballer Ashley Cole ended in 2010, following claims he’d cheated on her. A source says: “Cheryl has suffered her fair share of heartache, but becoming
‘Cheryl’s besotted – her world is about the baby’
a mum has finally put an end to it all. She knows nothing will ever tarnish her being a mum.”
FRIENDLY ADVICE
The singer hasn’t been seen in public since she debuted her bump last November for dinner in London with Liam. Then, last month, she appeared to finally officially confirm her ultra-secretive pregnancy, showing off a growing bump in a billboard campaign for L’oréal.
Closer previously revealed Cheryl – who has had online threats from obsessed One Direction fans since she and Liam went public last May – has been keeping things low-key. Now sources say she’s equally worried about photos being leaked so is being ultra-cautious.
The source says: “Cheryl’s loved having her and Liam’s family members visiting, but she’s asking everyone not to take photos on their phone in case they’re hacked. She and Liam want to do everything in their power to protect their son’s identity, so he can have a ‘normal’ upbringing.”
As Closer previously reported, Cheryl has turned to pals for advice on protecting her son – whose name hadn’t been confirmed at the time of going to press – and has taken guidance from best pal and mum-of-two Kimberley Walsh, who’s in constant contact, as well as Kourtney Kardashian. Mum-of-two Rochelle Humes has organised a first play date and A-list pal Khloe Kardashian sent a £5k luxury gift hamper from Harrods.
And pals say Simon Cowell, who has a son Eric, three, has also spoken to her. A source says: “Simon has urged Cheryl not to worry too much about bringing up a baby in the limelight. He suggested balancing things and releasing a few pictures of the baby and making a few public appearances.”
FINDING CLOSURE
And insiders say Ashley, 36 – who became a father to a little boy last February and is back on speaking terms with Cheryl – sent a heartfelt message after hearing news of the birth.
A source says: “Ashley wished Cheryl and Liam only happiness in their future. He told Cheryl how lucky her son is to have her and how he always knew she’d make an amazing mum. The message brought her to tears and she admitted it finally felt like closure for their relationship.”