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 former One Direction singer 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."
Check out Cheryl and Liam's relationship timeline:
December 2015
During the final of The X Factor 2015, when Cheryl was a judge on the show, Liam was spotted dancing with the singer to Jason Derulo's track 'Talk Dirty To Me' after the show ended.
Despite looking very friendly together, nobody suspected a relationship between the two.
February 2016
Cheryl uploaded a photo of herself getting ready for The BRIT Awards in 2016, with Liam commenting on her photo with the cheeky caption, 'See you there babe!'.
February 2016
Despite rumours circulating that the pair could be dating, Cheryl and Liam walked the BRITs red carpet separately in 2016. Instead, Liam was joined by his former One Direction band mate Louis Tomlinson.
February 2016
It's official! On the last day of February in 2016, Liam and Cheryl made their relationship public when Liam updated his social media photos to this cute snap.
The singer also updated his social media bios to read, 'Happy'.
March 2016
Cheryl and Liam went Instagram official when Liam uploaded this photo of the pair posing in the back of a car.
March 2016
Liam sent 'Cheriam' fans into complete meltdown when he shared a photo of Cheryl to his social media accounts to celebrate International Women's Day.
Alongside the photo, he wrote the cute caption of, 'Happy #internationalwomensday to my favourite woman in the world 😘😘 hope I make you as happy as u make me X'. sic
March 2016
Cheryl and Liam made their first public appearance together in March 2016. Looking incredibly loved up, the pair enjoyed a meal together at a restaurant in London, with Cheryl sporting a massive necklace with the word 'love'.
April 2016
After only a few months of dating, Cheryl's friend and former X Factor boss Simon Cowell spoke about her romance with Liam.
He said, "I saw them together and we had a really nice dinner ... They were on good form. They're like two little chipmunks madly in love. Literally they were so cute. But importantly they both seemed very happy over here and very relaxed. I'm happy for them."
May 2016
Cheryl and Liam made their first ever red carpet appearance during the Global Gift Gala in Paris, France.
Gazing into each other's eyes, the couple looked more loved up than ever.
May 2016
Liam posted a selfie of the pair on a private jet travelling to France ahead of the Cannes Film Festival.
May 2016
The couple made their second red carpet appearance in just one month when they appeared at the Cannes Film Festival.
Liam was supporting Cheryl who was attending the event as part of her brand ambassador role for L'Oreal.
July 2016
Cheryl and Liam moved in together, with Cheryl announcing the news with a funny message on Instagram. Sharing this photo of Liam with her beloved dog, she wrote, 'Our new family member 🐶😁😍😭 he is beyond cute.. 😩 the dog is adorable too 😏 @toosmallforteacups thank you ❤️. sic
September 2016
Rumours started in the press that Cheryl was pregnant with Liam's child after she was spotted with a 'fuller figure' at a L'Oreal event in Paris.
September 2016
Liam fueled the pregnancy rumours even further when he changed his Instagram bio to read, 'The luckiest man alive'.
He then uploaded this cute photo of the pair wearing face masks, declaring how much he misses his girlfriend. He wrote, 'I miss you!...the things you make me do🤓😋 home soon!'.
October 2016
Cheryl's divorce from her ex-husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini was finalised, with the former couple being granted a 'quickie divorce'.
November 2016
After months of rumours surrounding her pregnancy, Cheryl and Liam seemed to confirm them when they stepped out hand-in-hand at the Fayre of St James' Christmas Concert in London.
Cheryl made the decision to leave her long coat open as she 'showed off' her small baby bump to fans and press.
December 2016
Amidst all of the rumours, Cheryl and Liam posted some playful selfies to their social media accounts to celebrate their first ever Christmas together.
February 2017
It's official - Cheryl and Liam are having a baby!
After not attending The BRIT Awards in 2017, Cheryl seemed to confirm her pregnancy once and for all when she posed in a photo holding her large bump for a new L'Oreal campaign.
March 2017
After months of speculation, Cheryl and Liam confirmed to the world that they've welcomed a baby boy called Bear Grey Payne.
Revealing he was born on Wednesday 22nd March, Cheryl wrote, 'Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy, weighing 7lb 9 and looking like a dream. Although he still doesn't have a name he is already stealing hearts. We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers around the world. A day that now has a different meaning to me forever 💙'. sic
June 2017
Breaking her social media silence for the first time since welcoming baby Bear, Cheryl uploaded a snap of Liam to wish him a Happy Father's Day.
She wrote, 'Happy 1st Father's Day Liam.. You are the most amazing daddy and the best example for our son. The way he looks at you says it all. Your relationship melts my heart. You are the centre of his world & We adore you 🐻🌎💙'.
July 2017
After months of staying out of the public eye, Cheryl shared a cute photo of herself and Liam enjoying a date night without baby Bear.
October 2017
As Liam started to release his debut solo music, including songs like 'Strip That Down', 'Get Low' and 'Bedroom Floor', Cheryl couldn't resist gushing about her man's handsome looks.
Sharing this photo, Cheryl wrote, 'I had to .. I mean 👀 come onnnn 😩😍'.
February 2018
After months of no social posts and no public appearances, fans started to think Liam and Cheryl were having relationship issues.
That was until Liam posted this adorable photo of his son Bear to help wish Cheryl a Happy Valentine's Day. He wrote, 'Happy Valentine's Day @cherylofficial and everyone. looks like I've got the big guy to compete with now 🤷🏻♂️😂😂😂'.
February 2018
Cheryl sent fans into meltdown when she appeared to be wearing an engagement ring on her ring finger as she met Prince Charles.
Representatives for the couple later explained Cheryl's choice of jewellery was simply 'costume jewellery'.
February 2018
Stories in the press suggested Liam and Cheryl's relationship had come to an end due to the pair's busy work schedules.
February 2018
Shutting down split rumours, the couple attended The BRIT Awards 2018 together, putting on a very loved up display on the red carpet.
February 2018
After certain news outlets claimed Cheryl and Liam's public display of affection at The BRIT Awards 2018 was a 'stunt', Cheryl angrily hit back on Twitter, calling it 'ludicrous and weird'.
May 2018
Liam spent a lot of time in America as he promoted his solo music, leaving Cheryl and Bear at home.
June 2018
After not being seen together for four months, fans started to speculate a split when Liam failed to publicly address Cheryl's birthday on the 30th June.
July 2018
After two years together, on Sunday 1st July both Cheryl and Liam announced they had split. Releasing a joint statement on Twitter, it read, '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.' [sic
Liam's cute words arrive just weeks after he appeared on the The Jonathan Ross Show, praising The Greatest Dancer judge for her parenting skills. He said, "She is a fantastic mum, I can't complain, she's absolutely awesome."
Despite putting on a very loved-up display at The BRIT Awards in 2018, Cheryl and Liam announced their split in the summer, with Liam now dating model Maya Henry.
Ant Middleton & Liam Payne: Straight Talking airs on Sky One and Now TV on Monday 11th November.
NOW WATCH: Liam Payne Confirms He's Got A Girlfriend As He Answers The Internet
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