How grief modified Cheryl’s ‘perspective on life’ and taught her to ‘love extra’ – as she does all she will to guard Bear after Liam Payne’s loss of life

Cheryl has been privately working through her grief as the world mourns the loss of her ex Liam Payne.  

While her romantic relationship with the singer ended in 2018, the pair bonded for life through their son Bear, and Cheryl was said to be ‘devastated’ when she attended Liam’s funeral on Wednesday.

Tragically, Cheryl is no stranger to grief, having lost childhood friend, budding footballer John Courtney, in 2005 from a heroin overdose and more recently her Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah Harding. 

Sarah was 39 when she lost her battle with breast cancer in September 2021, leaving loved ones and her fans bereft. 

Cheryl previously revealed how Sarah’s death ensured that she doesn’t take any days for granted as she explained how grief had changed her outlook on life. 

She told MailOnline last year: ‘A lot of conversations we had before she left really sparked a different perspective for me, and I’ll carry that.’ 

Grief has changed Cheryl’s ‘perspective on life’ and taught her to ‘love more’ – as she does all she can to protect Bear after Liam Payne’s death (pictured at the funeral) 

While Cheryl’s romantic relationship with Liam ended in 2018 (pictured) the pair bonded for life through their son Bear, and Cheryl was ‘devastated’ when she attended Liam’s funeral

Tragically, Cheryl is no stranger to grief, having lost Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah Harding to breast cancer in September 2021 (pictured together in 2003) 

‘She wasn’t ready to leave and I think, “well I’m still here”‘, Cheryl explained. ‘I’ve got the gift of life to still live, and I’ll do it with her in mind. It does shift a lot of things in your own heart.’ 

Detailing how Sarah’s death brought her closer to bandmates Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle and Kimberley Walsh, she continued: ‘With the loss and our age we just appreciate and love each other so much more.

‘We always have loved each other, obviously. But it’s just a different, there’s a different depth to it all now.’

Cheryl met Sarah two decades ago when they beat several thousand other entrants to win a place on ITV‘s Popstars: The Rivals.

It was that show that launched Girls Aloud, with the group going on to score four number one singles and two number one albums.

While Sarah went on to launch an acting career, landing roles in St Trinian’s films and Coronation Street, Cheryl’s next move was launching a solo career and later a judging role on The X Factor. 

It was there that she met Liam, who like Cheryl found fame in a televised band as he was put into One Direction. 

While the pair initially crossed paths on the hit talent show in 2008, however it wasn’t until 2016 that their relationship began.

Cheryl also lost one of her childhood friends, budding footballer John Courtney (pictured), who passed away from a heroin overdose in 2005

The Promise This singer walked behind Liam’s coffin following a poignant private service attended by family members and a host of stars from the world of music and sport

In March 2017 the couple welcomed son Bear but parenthood caused fault lines in their relationship which could not be overcome and 14 months after Bear was born, the pair announced their separation.

The pair remained in each other’s lives as they co-parented their only child before Liam’s tragic death last month. 

Liam – who died after falling 45ft to his death from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palmero Hotel in Argentina – was honoured by the singer at his funeral on Wednesday. 

It’s understood that Cheryl, who was supported by her Girls Alound bandmates Kimberley and Nicola at the service, is ‘dreadfully sad’ over Liam’s death and is grappling with her own grief, while being strong for her son.

Looking to the future, she will be doing everything she can to ensure Bear never forget’s his father, but on Wednesday the focus was firmly on giving Liam a loving and dignified send off.

It’s believed that Cheryl, who was seen leaving the service with Liam’s parents, helped his family to plan the funeral.

The Promise This singer walked behind her ex’s coffin following a poignant private service attended by family members and a host of stars from the world of music and sport.

Solemn in funeral black were Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan – the four men Liam had grown up alongside and with whom he shared his rise to stardom.

In March 2017, Liam and Cheryl welcomed son Bear but 14 months later they announced their separation. The pair remained in each other’s lives as they co-parented their only child 

Last month, Cheryl paid tribute to Liam in an Instagram post and spoke of her ‘indescribable pain’ over telling Bear his father had passed away.

Her statement read: ‘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.

‘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 seven year old son.

‘A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.’