CHERYL: ‘ FUMING’ OVER EX LIAM’S BETRAYAL
SINCE ANNOUNCING THE end of his two-year relationship with Cheryl last month, Liam Payne has been described as someone ‘enjoying his single status’. However, last week the chat surrounding his love life stepped up a notch when the singer was spotted ‘grinding’ with singer Rita Ora backstage at a pre-mtv VMAS concert.
Liam, 24, is already rumoured to be dating model Cairo Dwek, 20, and has been linked to heiress Maya Henry, 18, since he split up with Cheryl – four months after they celebrated their son Bear’s first birthday.
Now, insiders say Liam’s behaviour has left Cheryl, 35, ‘furious’ while filming her new BBC talent show The Greatest Dancer last week. ‘Cheryl is not just upset at how Liam is handling his life since they made their announcement, she’s fuming,’ an insider tells us.
Cheryl, who is notoriously private, was forced to deny split rumours with Liam earlier this year after he recorded a steamy duet with Rita, 27, for the movie Fifty Shades Freed. Reports began circling that Cheryl was jealous of their chemistry, and she and Liam subsequently put on a united front at the BRIT Awards in February in an attempt to shut down speculation.
Which is why it’s apparently been all the more galling for Cheryl to see Rita and Liam getting close. ‘Part of the reason they separated was Liam’s insensitivity when it came to what he said and did in public while they were together, but with his recent behaviour he’s making things even worse. Cheryl’s main concern is that it’s making it seem like she and Bear are not his priority. She feels he’s acting like that part of his life didn’t happen,’ said the source.
Liam previously admitted how he would often get into trouble with Cheryl for being so open about their relationship in interviews, covering everything from her pregnancy weight gain to boasting about the size of his manhood. However, it seems as though the former One Direction star is still making Cheryl wince. Just last week, he reportedly told Total Access: ‘I like sex. So what better way to musically express myself as a young man growing up? I’m into it. I like it. It’s good.’
‘ The way Liam is acting is still making Cheryl cringe and she’s finding him running around with all these girls mortifying,’ the insider explains. ‘It’s not that she’s upset about the split or even him getting with other girls, it’s more about how she’s made to look. They’re not on friendly terms at the moment, so communication is limited and all very much around arrangements with Bear. Cheryl is known for being protective over how her personal life is perceived and Liam is really testing her.’
To make matters worse, Cheryl is also said to be annoyed that Liam’s antics could overshadow her grand return to the spotlight in the run-up to her new TV show and solo album.
‘ This is meant to be her chance for a big comeback after a difficult year,’ the insider continues. ‘But Liam is tainting that. Their split is still fresh. The sad truth is that Cheryl feels incredibly embarrassed by Liam’s antics.’