Cheryl & Liam: Split The Full Story

How their dream turned into a nightmare.

- Kate Randall

Last week, Liam Payne and Cheryl finally confirmed the inevitable but sad news that they were ending their two-and-a-half-year relationship. In a carefully worded statement, Liam wrote, “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.”

Cheryl said the same, except she didn’t mention Liam by name and, despite claiming they still have a lot of love for each other, we’re told the separation isn’t completely amicable. They’ve reportedly been at odds for months over their different outlooks on life, and Liam has already moved out of the £5million house they shared in Surrey with 15-month-old son Bear.

“Although they only confirmed the split to friends and family last week, nobody was surprised, as they knew it had been coming,” an insider tells heat. “Liam’s barely been at home these past few months, everyone has noticed how he seemed to avoid it – when he was there, apparently it was often just all rows and tension. They’ve not looked happy for a long time – it’s as if they’re at completely different stages in their lives. Liam wanted to party and enjoy his success, and she wasn’t in the right headspace for that. He thought Cheryl had changed from the fun girl he first started dating. She wanted to stay in the UK to look after Bear, but Liam needed to be away for work and also wanted his girlfriend with him at some events.