Tributes are being paid to Liam Payne after the singer was found dead in Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening.
Local police are now investigating the circumstances of the tragedy that saw the 31-year-old fall to his death from a hotel balcony – follow our live blog here for the latest.
Payne rose to stardom aged 16 as part of the boyband One Direction and later had a solo career, releasing one album and collaborating with many notable singers.
He was never far from the spotlight from a young age and his relationships were often under the microscope.
It is understood that Payne was dating Kate Cassidy at the time of his death, thepair having been together since October 2022.
He had also dated the model Maya Henry but is perhaps best remembered for his time with another singer, Cheryl – who now goes by her maiden name, Cheryl Tweedy.
This is the story of their romance.
2008: X Factor origins
Years before he was drafted into One Direction, Payne auditioned for the X Factor as a solo artist – and performed Frank Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon, aged 14, in 2008.
He winked at Tweedy – who was then known as Cheryl Cole, because of her marriage to the Arsenal footballer Ashley.
The 25-year-old Tweedy said: “I think you’re really cute, you have charisma and you gave me a cheeky wink.”
Payne made it to boot-camp stage and then to a judge’s house, but was cut and told by Simon Cowell to come back in two years.
2010: Life moves on
Two years later, Payne had a second chance to sing before Tweedy and qualified to the next round but was cut as a solo artist.
However, guest judge Nicole Scherzinger had the bright idea of pairing him alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. And the rest is history.
That same year, Tweedy divorced Ashley Cole and advanced her solo career.
2016: Liam and Cheryl start dating
In December 2015, One Direction performed at the X Factor final, allowing Payne to meet Tweedy once more.
In February 2016, Tweedy split from second husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini and rumours began that she was dating Payne.
This was confirmed in May of that year when the pair attended the Global Gift Gala in Paris.
The pair attracted comment as there was a 10-year age difference.
March 2017: Bear is born
After a year of dating, the pair welcomed a son whom they named Bear.
Payne wrote: “My close friends and family know there are very few times when I’m left speechless… wow! I’m incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world.”
“It’s a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favourite memory I have so far. I’m completely in awe of his incredible mother and how she has been the whole way through this, she’s really made my dreams come true.”
July 2018: The dream is over
Payne and Tweedy broke up after two years of dating.
He tweeted: “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.”
2019-2024: New loves
While the pair have embarked on further relationships, they have remained committed to co-parenting Bear – who is now aged seven.
In interviews, both Payne and Tweedy have said they take turns in looking after their son and have made efforts to keep him out of the spotlight.
As of 10am on Thursday, Tweedy has not mentioned the death of Payne on social media.
Payne wrote on Mother’s Day 2020: “Happy Mother’s Day mum and Cheryl you two are the most amazing mothers Bear and I could have asked for, thanks for raising me right and thank you Cheryl for showing my son all the love in the world.”
