Cheryl blasts 'abhorrent reports' as she calls Liam Payne's death 'earth shattering'

The Girls Aloud star is mum to Payne's seven-year-old son Bear

Liam Payne and Cheryl (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Liam Payne and Cheryl on the red carpet. (Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Cheryl Tweedy has paid tribute to her ex Liam Payne in a moving message in which she said her heart is "breaking" over their seven-year-old son Bear.

Former One Direction singer Payne died on Wednesday, 16 October at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tweedy, who was with Payne for two years before they split in 2018, has now posted on Instagram, calling it an "earth shattering event". The star also said the fact that Bear would one day be able to see the "abhorrent reports and media exploitation" was "troubling" her.

Sharing a black and white photo of Payne lying in bed with Bear when he was a baby, she wrote: "As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.

"Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again."

She went on: "What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.

Read more: Liam Payne

"I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces. Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.

"Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last. Thank you, Cheryl."

Cheryl's tribute on Instagram. (Cheryl Tweedy Instagram)
Cheryl's tribute on Instagram. (Cheryl Tweedy Instagram)

Cheryl and Payne met on The X Factor when Payne tried out and Cheryl was a judge. They didn't get together until years later, and are thought to have quietly started dating in 2015 before going public with their romance in 2016.

Bear was born in March 2017 - the first child for both stars. Proud dad Payne posted on Instagram at the time: "I’m incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world, it’s a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favourite memory I have so far."

Singers Cheryl, left, and Liam Payne pose for photographers upon arrival at the Brit Awards 2018 in London, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2018. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
Cheryl and Liam Payne split in 2018. (Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

The pair split in 2018, saying in a statement: "We 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."

For confidential emotional support contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.