Sophia Michaels
The entertainment world is mourning the unexpected loss of ex-One Direction star Liam Payne, who had a son named Bear Gray Payne with his former partner, Cheryl Cole. Liam became a father at just 23, with Bear being born on March 25, 2017.
Cheryl’s pregnancy was confirmed by People in November 2016, nearly a year after their relationship began. They first crossed paths in 2010 during Liam’s stint on “The X-Factor,” where Cheryl was a judge. When announcing Bear’s birth on Instagram, Liam described the moment as transformative: “It’s something I will cherish forever,” he shared, also expressing gratitude to Cheryl for his fatherhood experience.
Despite keeping many aspects of Bear’s life private, Liam has mentioned in interviews that Bear resembles him closely. Liam noted that family members often comment on their likeness when shown photographs of him as a child. He shared that while he initially preferred a classic name, Cheryl advocated for something distinctive; they ultimately chose Bear, which Liam felt fit his son’s personality. Bear, known for being spirited, shares a love for music with Liam and has expressed a desire for fame himself.
Will Bear follow in his father’s footsteps?
On March 2, 2024, shortly before Liam tragically passed away from an accident in Buenos Aires, he shared an Instagram photo of Bear, showcasing the 7-year-old walking outdoors with a billboard of his father’s Spotify ad in view. Liam remarked on his son’s cute reaction when he saw the ad, expressing a hope to be featured on a billboard himself one day.
Liam previously noted Bear not only resembles him but also shares a passion for music. He would often play demo tracks for Bear as a baby, leading to moments of joy for his son, whose favorite tune is “Familiar,” featuring J Balvin. “He enjoys it,” Liam said enthusiastically.
Bear is aware of his parents’ celebrity status. Cheryl mentioned in an interview that Bear thinks it’s “pretty cool,” but both parents strive to provide him with a regular childhood. Following their 2018 breakup, Liam committed to dedicating significant time to Bear whenever possible, emphasizing the importance of a present father figure in his son’s life. “I want to be viewed as his superhero,” Liam told People.
