Cheryl Cole, the mother of Liam Payne’s son, Bear, has spoken out after the singer’s sudden death.
The “Fight for this Love” singer took to social media on Friday to remember the late musician.
“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,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a throwback photo of Payne in bed with their then-newborn baby.
She continued, “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 harsh reality of never seeing his father again.”
Cole proceeded to ask for kindness and plead that her child be spared from too many details of his father’s tragic passing.
“Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them,” she begged. “Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.”
Cole and Payne dated for over two years before their breakup in 2018. The pair struck up a relationship shortly after Cole ended her marriage to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in 2015.
They welcomed their son, Bear, together in 2017.
At the time of their split — which they called a “mutual loving decision” in their social media statement declaring their breakup — sources said they were still close friends.
“Cheryl and Liam worked really hard on their relationship — they had troubles earlier this year and were able to get through them,” the insider revealed. “But they’re in different stages of their lives and, after a lot of careful thought, came to a decision that it’s best for everyone if they do go their separate ways.”
The former One Direction member died at age 31 on Oct. 16 after falling from the third floor of his hotel room in Argentina.
Payne’s fall resulted in “extremely serious injuries,” according to Buenos Aires police. Medics confirmed he died on the spot.
Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires municipality, told the outlet that the musician “had thrown himself from the balcony of his room.”
Shortly after his death, a source close to the singer told us Payne had been going through a rough patch in his life for some time prior to his fall.
“Liam had been cycling through periods of ruinous behavior for a long time,” the insider said.
“He was open about his struggles but tried to downplay them at times. His demons were much worse than he let on.”
