Cheryl starts baby prep – and Liam Payne will help her out

Cheryl is already a mum to Bear Grey Payne

Author: Charlotte OliverPublished 6th Mar 2020
Last updated 10th Mar 2020

Former Girls Aloud star Cheryl has been open about her desire to have a second child sooner rather than later, revealing earlier this year that she’d already started looking into using a sperm donor.

And it seems like Cheryl’s really pressing ahead with her plans by making sure that everything is ready for a mini arrival. That means winding down her work commitments, prepping son Bear Grey Payne (who turns three this month) for life as a big brother, and expanding her support network.

And, of course, fitting in all the luxurious bubble baths she can get before she’s a busy mother of two.

An insider close to Cheryl told heat Magazine, “Cheryl knows how much tougher having a newborn will be this time around, without the support of a partner. She’s trying to get her life in order to make it as smooth as possible. Firstly, she knows she wants to ring fence a good few months off work in order to devote herself fully to Bear and the new baby.

"She’s also making sure that Bear is happy in nursery school, and mixing with other toddlers, too. She’s been reading books about how to prepare kids for the arrival of a sibling, because she doesn’t want him getting jealous.”

This weekend will see the final of series two of The Greatest Dancer, which has been Cheryl's biggest work commitment over the past few months. She also announced she’ll be headlining Birmingham Pride in May, as well as performing at London’s Mighty Hoopla in June, but has otherwise kept her diary relatively clear for 2020.

According to our source, Cheryl’s focusing her attention on getting her mind and body fighting fit for raising two little ones, and reaching out to friends with families to ensure she won’t feel isolated along the way.

As recently reported, Cheryl’s ex, Liam Payne, has reassured her that, as Bear’s dad, he’ll be there to support her and the new baby.

Last week, rumours were rife that Liam had split from his girlfriend Maya Henry, but these reports were quickly shut down, with a source close to the couple revealing they are just keeping their relationship off social media.

“Although Liam has said he’ll help Cheryl out, he won’t always be around, and she wants all the support she can get,” says the source. “She’s been trying to build up her own circle of friends with kids, so that she has other families to do fun things with, like day trips, lunch dates and even holidays. It’s good for the kids, but it’s also good for her.”

“She’s also being doing a lot of self-care – lots of yoga, exercise and long baths. She wants to be at her absolute best for this new adventure.”

Check out Cheryl's entire relationship history below:

2004-2010: Ashley Cole

Not long into her rise to fame, Cheryl started dating England footballer Ashley Cole, even attending the World Cup with the likes of Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney.


Clearly smitten, the loved-up pair got married in 2016, penning a six-figure magazine deal at the time.

2004-2010: Ashley Cole

However, things started to turn sour for the 'golden couple' when Ashley was accused of 'cheating' on Cheryl just months after their wedding.


Despite forgiving the footballer, Ashley continued with his ways, with allegations that he'd been unfaithful rocking their romance yet again.


Everything got too much for Chez in 2010, when she filed for divorce from Ashley.

2010-2011: Derek Hough

Cheryl first met professional dancer Derek Hough whilst the pair filmed the music video for her hit track 'Parachute', and it seems they immediately hit it off.


The former X Factor judge contracted Malaria in 2010, and she later told Piers Morgan, "I owe my life to Derek... if it wasn't for him I'd be dead."

2010-2011: Derek Hough

Despite this, it seems the pair were destined to just be friends, with Derek later revealing to the media, "We dated for a while. Absolutely we are still friends, we are still very close."

2012-2013: Tre Holloway

It seems Cheryl had quite a thing for professional dancers, as her next boyfriend was the super handsome Tre Holloway.
Despite first meeting each other on The X Factor in 2010, the pair didn't grow close until 2012, with Cheryl enlisting Tre's dancing skills for her 'Ghetto Baby' music video.

2012-2013: Tre Holloway

Things seemed to be getting serious between the two, especially when Tre starred in Cheryl's ITV2 documentary.


However, the long-distance relationship didn't work out, with the couple calling it quits in 2013. Speaking at the time, Tre said, "She's an amazing person, an amazing woman, and we are good friends."

2014-2016: Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini

It looked like Cheryl had found 'the one' when she met French businessman Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in 2014.
Only three months into their romance, Cheryl shocked her fans by announcing she'd married JB, in a secret beach location with her close family and friends.

2014-2016: Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini

After her second marriage, rumours of tension between Cheryl and JB started to arise, with the couple being pictured looking glum on more than one occasion.


18 months after their whirlwind wedding, Cheryl and JB were granted a quickie divorce in October 2018.

2016-2018: Liam Payne

Shortly after Cheryl divorced JB, she singer shocked the showbiz world in 2016, when she confirmed she was dating One Direction singer Liam Payne.


Despite the pair having a 10-year age gap, and originally meeting when Liam was just 14-years-old on The X Factor, Cheryl and Liam instantly hit it off, posting a number of adorable snaps together.

2016-2018: Liam Payne

After what was the worst kept pregnancy secret of the decade, Cheryl and Liam welcomed a baby boy into the world in March 2017, settling on the name Bear Grey Payne.

2016-2018: Liam Payne

Split rumours started to hit the pair in early 2018, but Cheryl and Liam were quick to shut them down, putting on a very loved-up display at the 2018 BRIT Awards.


However, just five months later, the couple released a joint statement admitting they've decided to separate. Despite this, the pair remain good friends and co-parent baby Bear.

You can read the full story about Cheryl's baby plans in this week's heat Magazine, out now.

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.