Another day, another celebrity romance has flat-lined.
While we’re all still reeling from the fallout that is Jen Aniston and Justin Theroux, their British musical counterparts Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne are said to be on the rocks.
The former One Direction star and his “Mrs”, who these days goes by just Cheryl, are apparently in “crisis talks.”
It’s been just 12 months since the unlikely pair became first time parents, welcoming their son Bear.
But it would appear this new chapter in their lives has been more challenging than expected.
In happier times…
Their last Instagram posts of each other
Rumours of their issues hit the British tabloids a week ago, with one friend saying they now feel “under strain.”
“It’s very sad,” the pal mused to The Mail On Sunday.
“They tried very hard to make it work. They’re desperate to make a go of it but it’s absolutely on the rocks.”
The publication believe that Cheryl and Liam “are set to split, possibly within weeks.”
The 34-year-old singer first began dating her 24-year-old younger lover back in 2016.
The couple were the picture of love but Liam’s busy work schedule has proven to be a real issue.
They have once child together, a son named Bear.
Liam is currently touring and in the midst of promoting his duet with Rita Ora in New York.
“It’s very difficult for them and extremely sad. Things go from being very calm to being very tough,” a source explained about Liam and Cheryl – who’ve not been seen together in public since last October.
“The crux of the problem is that Liam has to be away a lot. Cheryl has always understood he would have to work hard and be absent but the reality is that it’s not an easy thing to deal with. This relationship is hanging by a thread. Both of them are devastated.”
Another insider commented on the famous partners, explaining: “Both of them desperately want it to work but it doesn’t look like things are going to end as they wished.”
Adding, “Their main concern is Bear and making sure that he remains the happy little boy he is.”
A different source went as far to say that if they weren’t parents, they’d have parted ways long ago.
One friend opened up to The Sun, musing, “There’s a big age gap between them. If they didn’t have Bear then they would have most likely split up by now.
“But they love their son. And they do care for each other so it’s now a matter of seeing if there’s a final way forward to try and make it work.”
Liam himself has complimented his partner for all that she does for their family.
Watch sparks fly: The moment Cheryl meets Liam!
“Obviously, she supported me going off and doing my career and stuff, so she’s been amazing,” he confessed last year.
“What I’ve learnt about being a dad is how hard it is to be a mum and she hasn’t had any help from anybody and she’s done it all herself.”
Cheryl, who has taken a step back from her usual busy work schedule, will make an appearance on Tuesday in Newcastle to open the Cheryl’s Trust Centre — which helps vulnerable young people.
Meanwhile, eagle-eyed fans will keep their peepers open to see if the couple attend the Brit Awards on Wednesday.
With Liam being nominated, the attendance of both parties would show everyone that they’re united!
Cheryl first met Liam when he was 17 and he auditioned for the X Factor.
Before her muso beau, the singer was married to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini and Ashley Cole.
