Liam urges Cheryl: “You need to tell the truth – now!”
● Cheryl reveals drunken snog with BFF Kimberley Walsh and admits she fancies dating a supermarket worker ● Pals say ex Liam Payne is shocked at her openness ● Cheryl’s inner circle reveal she’s using her honesty to desperately claw back fans
It was almost a decade ago that Cheryl declared she’d “never discuss her private life in public again”, but after giving two revealing interviews in just one week – where she spoke candidly about motherhood, fame, relationships and even waxing – Cheryl has performed a spectacular U-turn.
And insiders reveal no one is more confused or surprised than her ex, Liam Payne – with whom she has 22-month-old son Bear. Especially when she revealed her saucy secret with best friend Kimberley Walsh, saying, “I snogged Kimberley once. It was a drunken night out, but still, I have a lot of explaining to do to Bear!”
OPENING UP TO FANS
A source says, “Liam is baffled that Cheryl would be so open now, especially as she spent most of their relationship urging him not to talk about it or anything to do with Bear. "When he saw the interviews, he asked what was going on. She told him she wanted to give her fans, who’ve supported her, something back and is trying to be more open with them now. He said he was proud of her for trying something new and opening herself up a bit more. He knows exposing yourself in that way is scary and he’s championing her for it. He always said she shouldn’t be afraid to open up more to fans – and to tell them the truth.” In an interview published last week, Cheryl, 35, confirmed Closer’s previous reports that she spent Christmas with Liam and his family, but this marks
a distinct turnaround in her behaviour.
Throughout her two-year relationship with Liam, 25, sources told Closer she would be annoyed every time he revealed details about them, including when he said Cheryl “thought she was massive” shortly after giving birth, and that she had “no complaints” about the size of his manhood. The former 1D star even admitted he’d get told off by Cheryl for revealing too much in interviews.
The source says, “Liam is pretty easy going, but he’s still surprised that Cheryl could be so strict about him talking about their private life but then, after they split, she changes her tune. He’s a bit perplexed, but feels he’s now able to say more himself.”
BACKLASH
Cheryl’s uncharacteristic openness comes after she faced a backlash in the wake of her musical comeback last year. The star has been trolled over her skinny frame, had her performances scrutinised, and there were fresh reports last week that her new show The Greatest Dancer is a “flop” after losing 400,000 viewers in a week.
As Closer previously reported, Cheryl – who shared pictures of Bear for the first time at the start of the year – is keen to win over a new fan base. And pals reveal they fear she’s now making desperate moves to reinstate her place as the nation’s sweetheart – sharing personal details to make her seem more down-to-earth.
FINDING LOVE AGAIN
The former Girls Aloud singer has endured a roller-coaster love life. She was previously married to premiership footballer Ashley Cole and restaurateur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-versini, and has had romances with celebrity dancers Tre Holloway and Derek Hough. And last week, she revealed how she’s keen to find love again and would happily date a “shelf-stacker from Sainsbury’s” – just two months after saying the only man she needs in her life is Bear.
The source says, “Cheryl’s pals are starting to worry she’s verging on desperate in an attempt to win over fans. She’s gone from saying nothing to saying too much. It’s a slippery slope and it may not pay off – and the danger is she’ll be left feeling even more exposed than ever.
“She believes a new relationship with an ordinary guy will prove she’s just like any other girl looking for her Prince Charming and that she doesn’t care about the materialistic things or the status of having an A-list partner. She also hopes that a new romance will deflect from the negativity over her career and give her critics something positive to focus on.”