Cheryl Cole, the former X Factor judge who shares son Bear with Liam Payne, has broken her silence following the death of the One Direction singer. Payne, who tragically passed away on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was the father of seven-year-old Bear, whom he shared with Cole.
Taking to Instagram, Cole shared a poignant black and white photo of Payne with their newborn son, accompanied by a statement addressing the heartbreaking loss. She expressed her grief and highlighted the importance of remembering Payne as not just a celebrity, but as a beloved son, brother, uncle, friend, and father to Bear.
In her heartfelt message, Cole condemned the “abhorrent reports and media exploitation” surrounding Payne’s death, expressing concern for Bear’s future exposure to such coverage. She implored people to consider the impact of their words and actions on those grieving, urging for dignity and respect in honouring Payne’s memory.
Cole and Payne had been in a relationship from 2016 to 2018, and welcomed Bear in March 2017. Their relationship faced challenges due to their busy schedules, eventually leading to a split, though they remained committed to co-parenting their son.
Payne, 31, tragically lost his life in the recent incident in Buenos Aires. Following his split from Cole, he had been engaged to model Maya Henry. At the time of his death, he was in a relationship with influencer Kate Cassidy. The circumstances surrounding Payne’s passing have deeply affected those close to him, with Cassidy sharing her raw emotions and love for him in a heartfelt tribute on social media.
The news of Payne’s untimely death has elicited an outpouring of tributes and condolences from fans and colleagues around the world. As the music industry mourns the loss of a talented artist, the focus remains on honouring his memory and supporting those he left behind.
Stay updated for more developments and tribute messages in remembrance of Liam Payne.