Cheryl Cole expressed her grief and concerns following the death of Liam Payne, the father of her 7-year-old son Bear. In a heartfelt statement, Cheryl emphasized that Liam was more than just a pop star and celebrity – he was a son, brother, uncle, dear friend, and most importantly, a father to Bear. Cheryl described the time after Liam’s death as an “indescribably painful” and “earth-shattering event”.
Cheryl’s Plea for Dignity and Respect
Cheryl urged people to consider the impact of media reports and social media comments on those left behind, particularly on her son Bear. She expressed concern that Bear will one day have access to the “abhorrent reports and media exploitation” surrounding Liam’s death, and this thought is “breaking my heart further”. Cheryl asked people to think about whether they would want their own child or family to read such reports before leaving comments or making videos.
Context of Liam Payne’s Death
Liam Payne, a former member of One Direction, died after falling from a hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024. Following his death, some media outlets published graphic images of his body, which led to backlash and subsequent removal of the images. Cheryl’s statement was a response to this media coverage, asking for dignity and respect for Liam in his passing .
Support from Others
Other members of One Direction, including Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, issued a joint statement mourning Liam’s passing and expressing their thoughts to his family, friends, and fans.
