Liam Payne Blamed Himself For Breakup With Cheryl Cole, Still Respected Her Despite Their Breakup After Having a Baby

Why is it that the brightest stars sometimes fade the quickest? It’s with a heavy heart that we process the sudden loss of Liam Payne, whose death has left many in deep shock. At 31, the former member of One Direction passed away on October 16 after a fall from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in Argentina, leaving behind his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, and his son, Bear, whom he shared with ex-partner Cheryl Cole. 

Liam Payne | Credits: vagueonthehow via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

Payne and Cole’s relationship, which began in 2016, may have been short-lived, but it was undeniably impactful. Their romance faced its share of challenges, ultimately leading to their split in 2018 after the birth of their son in 2017. In reflecting on their breakup, Payne expressed a deep sense of responsibility while maintaining respect for the 3 Words hitmaker. 

Liam Payne Took Responsibility for His Breakup with Cheryl Cole

Liam Payne was open about the challenges he faced in his relationships, especially after becoming a father at a young age. In the documentary Ant Middleton and Liam Payne: Straight Talking, the former One Direction star laid his cards on the table regarding his challenges with fatherhood, stating that (via The Mirror):

Becoming a dad at such a young age, it’s such a difficult thing.

The late singer confessed that his lofty expectations for being a father felt like a double-edged sword: 

I think I built fatherhood up so much in my head that it kind of messed me up to start with.

He also admitted that understanding Cheryl Cole’s feelings as a mom was like trying to find a needle in a haystack, revealing:

The one thing I was missing… was a level understanding about what she was feeling.

Despite their split, Payne emphasized Cole’s importance in his life, calling her “one of the most, if not the most, important people in my life.” Their connection dates back to when Cole first encountered the Fireproof singer during his audition for The X Factor at just 14 years old.

According to The Mirror, Cole has spoken warmly of Payne, noting he was the only man who hadn’t cheated on her and describing their relationship as “healthy” with “no animosity whatsoever”. In a 2018 interview with PEOPLE, the LP1 hitmaker expressed the complexities of becoming a young dad, saying:

I always wanted to be a young dad, but I didn’t really expect that I’d ever be in this place.

His aspirations of parenthood were met with unforeseen obstacles, highlighting the unpredictable journey of fatherhood.

Navigating Fatherhood: Liam Payne’s Journey of Love, Challenges, & Growth

Why do we often envision parenthood as a magical journey, only to find ourselves stumbling through a maze of challenges? During the same chat with PEOPLE, Liam Payne candidly revealed that the experience was far more complex than he had imagined.

I had my son at a young age, and you think it will be a magical thing, that you’re going to grow up one day into the person you’re supposed to be.

Payne realized that fatherhood required a level of maturity and understanding he wasn’t quite prepared for. Despite his breakup with Cheryl Cole in 2018, he continued to emphasize their supportive co-parenting relationship. He told Glamour, “Cheryl is literally the best person to co-parent with,” highlighting the lack of stress in their interactions.

Even during the trying times of the pandemic, when visits with his son were limited, Payne made every effort to stay connected. He used FaceTime to bridge the gap, ensuring his son felt his love and presence, even from a distance.

At the time of his passing, he was in a relationship with Kate Cassidy. Initially reported by TMZ and later verified by CNN, Payne sadly passed away after a fall from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 16 October 2024.

Rest in peace, Liam Payne. Your spirit will continue to shine bright and inspire those who hold you dear!