GettyX-Factor judge Cheryl, and ex-One Direction band member, Liam Payne, have called time on their relationship after two-and-a-half years together.
The two made the decision to split up two weeks ago, with reports claiming Liam had moved out of their £5 million home in Surrey.
However, the two say they’ll remain good friends as they have a one-year-old son, named Bear, together.
Speaking to The Sun a close friend told said:
Cheryl and Liam worked really hard on their relationship – they had troubles earlier this year and were able to get through them.
But they’re in different stages of their lives and, after a lot of careful thought, came to a decision that it’s best for everyone if they do go their separate ways.
He still cares for her and she cares for him. They still have an ongoing relationship together. They have a baby together.
Both Cheryl and Liam have successful careers that take a lot of time, which didn’t always make things easy. There were ups and downs for a long time.
Cheryl and I are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make. We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.
— Liam (@LiamPayne) July 1, 2018
24-year-old Liam put a statement on social media confirming their breakup, which said:
Cheryl and I are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It’s been a tough decision for us to make.
We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.
According to sources close to Liam and 34-year0old Cheryl, the split was amicable and no external parties or factors were involved in the separation.
A friend to both Liam and Cheryl said:
This was a mutual loving decision. There is no animosity – they made the call based on what’s best for their family.
They get on great and this was a decision they made taking into account what’s right for their son, but they are adamant they will be the best possible parents to Bear by both being in his life.
Liam is living elsewhere but he still sees Bear all the time.
ITVLast Friday (June 29), the former Girls Aloud member celebrated her 35th birthday with some close friends, including her former bandmates Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts.
However, Liam was not in attendance for the celebration.
She posted a picture of her celebrating her birthday with Kimberley and Nicola on Instagram with the caption:
Happy birthday with my ride or dies.
Liam and Cheryl were said to be discussing their separation as early as February but were able to iron out their differences to put on a very public display of affection at this year’s BRIT Awards.
But soon after, Liam opened up about some the difficulties in the relationship, telling the Evening Standard‘s ES magazine:
The funniest thing was a week before [the split rumours] we were getting married. The next week we’re splitting up.
And the thing for me is, I just like to think we are somewhere in the middle.
Liam and Cheryl got together after she ended her marriage to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, which was announced in January 2016.
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