Cheryl and Bear's first Christmas without Liam Payne as she goes 'great lengths' for son

Cheryl is reportedly doing everything she can to make sure son Bear, seven, is happy this Christmas as she faces the first festive season without his dad, Liam Payne

Cheryl faces her first Christmas without her son Bear's father, Liam Payne, the 31-year-old star of One Direction who tragically died on October 16th after a fall from a balcony in Buenos Aires. The former X Factor judge is determined to make it a memorable festive season for seven-year-old Bear Payne, who previously enjoyed Christmas Day with his dad every year.

Sources say Cheryl will be joined by Liam's parents and siblings in their shared grief. "It has been a really sad time for Bear and Cheryl... This was the time when Liam would skip over to Cheryl's and despite them not being together, they would give Bear the most special of days.

"Wherever Liam was in the world, he'd always make sure to be home to spend Christmas Day with Bear. [Bear] will always have those memories, but now things will be different."

Even after splitting in 2018, Cheryl maintained a close bond with Liam's family and she, along with her own mother Joan, are rallying around to support young Bear during this poignant holiday period.

An insider revealed: "Cheryl has gone to great lengths to ensure Liam isn't forgotten. She has been careful not to spoil Bear, given he is the son of two wealthy people, but this year is going to be tough and everyone wants to see a smile on Bear's face. He has had an utterly heartbreaking few months," reports the Mirror.

The source continued, touching on Cheryl's previous loss with the death of her Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah Harding in 2021. Sarah, who was just 39, sadly died in September after a brave fight against breast cancer, leaving a wave of sorrow among her close ones and admirers.

Cheryl opened up about how Sarah's death deeply affected her, telling MailOnline: "A lot of conversations we had before she left really sparked a different perspective for me, and I'll carry that. She wasn't ready to leave and I think, 'Well I'm still here', 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."

The star reflected on their bond: "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 different, there's a different depth to it all now."

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.