The couple have yet to announce the news, but ex-One Direction member Liam Payne (23) and his girlfriend British pop singer and former X Factor judge Cheryl (33), have made it pretty clear they are expecting a baby.
The two strolled the red carpet Tuesday night at the St. James Christmas Carol Concert in London with Cheryl not even attempting to hide an obvious baby bump. Liam and Cheryl began dating last year.
The two first met when 14 year old Liam auditioned for the X Factor UK in 2008. In the video below of the singer’s auditions, he flirts openly with Cheryl–even winking at her. She, in turn, appears to be smitten. Simon let Liam go at the judges houses that season, believing the young singer was not ready for the competition.
Two years later, at 16, Liam made a triumphant return to the X Factor stage, impressing all four judges, including Cheryl, with a rendition of the standard, “Cry Me a River.” Eventually Liam was grouped together with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik to form the group One Direction. The quintet came in third place and went on to become global superstars.
Liam’s youth was not the only issue that kept the two apart at the time. Cheryl was married to footballer Ashley Cole both times they met. The married couple split in 2010 after 4 years of marriage. The former Girls Aloud member then went on to marry Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in 2014. Their divorce with finalized in October.
The man who brought them together, Simon Cowell, approves of the relationship. “I saw them together and we had a really nice dinner. They were on good form,” he told The Sun in April. “They’re like two little chipmunks madly in love. But importantly they both seemed very happy over here and very relaxed. I’m happy for them.”
Congratulations to both of them. Cheryl in particular seems to have been through a lot. Maybe she’s finally happy.
Via People
Watch 14 year old and 16 year old Liam Payne audition in front of the judges, including Cheryl who would some day be carrying his child! Heh.
