Liam Payne says ex Cheryl is the 'most important person' in his life
The pair split up in 2018
They were dating for over two years and share their adorable son Bear Grey Payne together, so it's no surprise that former X Factor judge Cheryl and Hits Live Manchester performer Liam Payne still have admiration for each other.
Despite Liam recently moving on by going public with his new girlfriend Maya Henry, the former couple co-parent Bear, with Liam recently calling Cheryl a 'fantastic mum' during an interview with Jonathan Ross.
Now, as Liam joins SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton for a special TV show called Ant Middleton & Liam Payne: Straight Talking, the 'Strip That Down' singer has praised his ex ever further.
Calling Cheryl the 'most important person' in his life, Liam told Ant, “Becoming a dad at such a young age, it’s such a difficult thing. And I think I built fatherhood up so much in my head that it kind of messed me up to start with.
“I started in a bad place with it. I think it spooked me out early on, and I was just worried I would not be enough to look after the both of them."
He then candidly said, “They’re so important to me – Cheryl as well. She’s one of the most, if not the most, important people in my life.
"Even though we’re not together, Cheryl’s always there for me. I’m lucky I have someone who understands what I’m going through. ‘The one thing I was missing as a man in the relationship I had, was a level understanding about what she was feeling about stuff.
“I think I learnt through being away that, while I want to protect her, there’s a big part of her that wants to protect me."
Meanwhile, if you are a fan of Liam Payne, don't miss his performance at Hits Live Manchester on Sunday 17th November, alongside Robbie Williams, Louis Tomlinson, Mabel, Mark Ronson, Anne-Marie, Tom Walker, Zara Larsson and Jonas Blue.
>>> BUY TICKETS TO HITS LIVE MANCHESTER RIGHT HERE <<<
Now take a look at our three incredible line-ups for our three incredible gigs:
Hits Live Liverpool
On Friday 15th November, Hits Live Liverpool returns to the M&S Bank Arena with some incredible artists from around the world performing their biggest hits.
James Arthur
James Arthur has had four Top 10 singles, including Number 1 singles, 'Impossible' and 'Say You Won't Let Go'.
John Newman
John Newman's biggest hits include his collaboration with Rudimental, 'Feel The Love', and his current single 'Without You' with Nina Nesbitt.
Jax Jones
Jax Jones is known for his huge hits 'Breathe' featuring Ina Wroldsen, and 'Ring Ring' featuring Mabel.
Sigala
Sigala has had hit after hit, including 'Easy Love', 'Sweet Lovin'', 'Came Here for Love' and his current single, with Becky Hill, 'Wish You Well.
Freya Ridings
Freya Ridings is known for her 2017 hit 'Lost Without You' and her latest single 'Castles'.
Becky Hill
Becky Hill has featured on a number of super successful songs, including her latest collaboration with Sigala, 'Wish You Well'.
RAYE
RAYE has teamed up with the likes of Jonas Blue and Jax Jones in the past, as well as releasing her top 20 single, 'Decline'.
Joel Corry
Joel Corry is best-known for his single 'Sorry', which he released earlier this year.
HRVY
HRVY has now been added to the Hits Live Liverpool line-up.
Hits Live Birmingham
The biggest music party of the year with our best artists, is coming to the West Midlands and it's SOLD OUT! Get ready for Hits Live Birmingham on Saturday 16th November. See the Hits Live Birmingham line-up below.
The Script
The Script have had four Number 1 albums in the UK and several Top 10 hits including, 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved', 'Hall of Fame' and 'Superheroes'.
Lewis Capaldi
Since releasing his debut album 'Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent' in May 2019, Lewis has continued to have success with his songs 'Someone You Loved' and 'Hold Me While You Wait'.
Rita Ora
Rita Ora has had so many hits! Starting back in 2012 with her debut single 'How We Do (Party)', Rita also released her album 'Ora' which went to Number 1.
Since then she's teamed up with Liam Payne on 'For You' and 'Ritual' with Tiësto and Jonas Blue.
Craig David
Craig David has had countless hits over the past two decades including, 'Fill Me In', '7 Day's, and 'I Know You' with Bastille.
Sigala
Sigala will also be joining us in Birmingham where he will be playing some of his biggest hits.
Jax Jones
Jax Jones has had a number of collaborations including, 'You Don't Know Me' featuring RAYE and 'Instruction' featuring Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don.
John Newman
The fantastic John Newman will also be joining us at Hits Live Birmingham performing some of his biggest hits.
Becky Hill
Becky Hill has had several Top 10 hits over the years, including her debut single 'Gecko (Overdrive)' with Oliver Heldens, and her current single with Sigala, 'Wish You Well'.
RAYE
RAYE has featured on several Top 10 hits and we can't wait to see her perform them in Birmingham.
Hits Radio Manchester
On Sunday 17th November, Hits Live returns to the Manchester Arena with some incredible artists from around the world performing their biggest hits.
Liam Payne
Having released several successful solo hits, we can not wait to see Liam Payne on stage in Manchester.
Louis Tomlinson
Louis Tomlinson will also be taking to the stage in Manchester to perform his hits.
Mabel
'Don't Call Me Up' singer Mabel will be performing her many songs. The pop star is known for featuring on several bangers by Jax Jones and Tiesto, as well as her solo songs including 'Mad Love'.
Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson is known for his hits 'Valerie' featuring Amy Winehouse, 'Uptown Funk' with Bruno Mars and last year's collaboration with Miley Cyrus, 'Nothing Breaks Like a Heart'.
Anne-Marie
After starring on global hit 'Rockabye' by Clean Bandit with Pitbull, Anne-Marie's solo singing career really started to take off, and her single 'Ciao Adios' became a huge hit. To date she's had several hits including, 'Friends' and '2002'.
Tom Walker
Not only has Tom Walker had a Number 1 album in the UK, his 2017 single 'Leave A Light On' reached Top 10 around the world.
Jonas Blue
British DJ Jonas Blue saw huge success with his debut single 'Fast Car' back in 2015, since then he's continued to have success with 'Mama' and 'Rise'.
Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams is one of the most decorated music artists in the world with six of the Top 100 best-selling albums in British history, a huge 80 million album sales worldwide, 14 Number 1 singles and a record 18 BRIT Awards – more than any other artist in music history.
HRVY
Hits Live is on tour with a weekend of the biggest artists in music! Find out about where we’ll be and how you can get tickets!
NOW WATCH: Liam Payne Confirms He's Got A Girlfriend As He Answers The Internet
You can hear Liam Payne's biggest hits on Hits Radio.
Turn it up with Hits Radio! Home of Fleur East, Sam Thompson and Gemma Atkinson playing the biggest hits and the biggest throwbacks, alongside the biggest laughs and life-changing competitions. Tune in on FM, DAB, online, ask your Smart Speaker to 'Play Hits Radio' and download the Rayo app.