Cheryl and Liam share a seven-year-old son together
Cheryl has shared a heartfelt tribute to her former partner Liam Payne after he passed away aged 31 in Argentina.
Police in Buenos Aires, Argentina confirmed the former One Direction singer had died after falling from a balcony at his hotel in the Argentinian capital on 16 October.
In a statement shared by Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, it was confirmed that Payne had fallen around 40 metres and suffered ‘severe injuries which were incompatible with life’.
Cheryl has since shared a tribute to the singer, whom she shares a seven-year-old son with.
The pair were introduced on the X Factor (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The singer took to Instagram to share her tribute, which featured a photograph of Payne with their son Bear as an infant, alongside a heartfelt message, which you can read below:
(Instagram/Cherylofficial)
The pair were first introduced on ITV singing series X Factor, where he first auditioned as a teenager before being added to boyband One Direction, going on to enter into a romantic relationship in February 2016.
Payne was 23 years old at the time while Cheryl was 33.
In 2017 the couple welcomed their only child together, a son named Bear Grey Payne.
Payne remained an active presence in Bear’s life after he and Cheryl separated, with the singer referring to Bear as his ‘mini me’ in his final public comments about his son.
In video, which Payne shared to his social media platforms on his 31st birthday back in August, the singer said: “I didn’t get any dad socks yet though. I’m going to speak to my son in a little bit which I’m really excited about.
“Bless him. He’s getting so big now. He’s a big boy and he looks like a mini me. As if we needed any more me in the world.”
Meanwhile various leading figures in the music world have since paid tribute to Payne, with X Factor sharing a statement which read: “We are heartbroken by the sad passing of Liam Payne.
“He was immensely talented and, as part of One Direction, Liam will leave a lasting legacy on the music industry and fans around the world.
“Our thoughts are with his friends, family and all who loved him.”
Liam Payne photographed in 2016 (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Meanwhile the official Spotify X account posted: “We are deeply saddened by the news of Liam Payne’s passing.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the many fans who loved and supported him.”
And TV presenter and former X Factor contestant Rylan added: “Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young. RIP Liam x”
Featured Image Credit: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Universal Music/ Venturelli/WireImage/Getty Images
