Cheryl Cole slams “abhorrent” reports of Liam Payne’s death

Cheryl Cole, who had a son with Liam Payne, has issued a statement about the superstar’s death.

In a paragraph posted to Instagram, Cole called on the media to stop “vile reporting” and “media exploitation” of his death for the sake of her son Bear.

“As I try to come to terms with this earth-shattering event and process my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I would like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” she said. “Liam was not just a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7-year-old son. A son who now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”

She continued: “What concerns me most is the fact that Bear will one day have access to the vile reports and media exploitation we have seen over the last two days.” It breaks my heart even more that I can’t protect him from this in the future. I ask you to consider what benefit some of these reports have, other than causing further harm to those left behind to pick up the pieces. Before you leave comments or create videos, ask yourself whether you want your own child or family to read them.”

Cole concluded her statement by asking the public to “give Liam what little dignity he has left after his death so he can finally rest in some peace.” Payne died on October 16 after falling from a hotel roof in Buenos Aires. He was 31.

According to the city’s Penitentiary and Correctional Services Attorney’s Office, it was revealed that Payne died of “multiple trauma” and “internal and external bleeding” after falling three stories from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was unclear whether the fall was an accident, but authorities were continuing to investigate the circumstances.

The couple first met when Payne auditioned for the UK edition of The X Factor in 2008 as a 14-year-old. Cole, who was 10 years his senior, sat on the jury alongside Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh.

The two began dating in 2016 and had a son together named Bear in 2017. The following year they ended their relationship and Payne went on to have a long-term relationship with model Maya Henry. Payne was originally in Buenos Aires with his now-girlfriend Kate Cassidy, but she left the vacation a few days early.

In an interview with the Sunday Times a few months after their split, Cole revealed that Payne had wanted to be a father since he was 16. “He wanted to settle down and have a family and not do the solo thing.” Then [I] encouraged him to do so. And then it didn’t work out.”

The singer is best known for his work with One Direction, the boy band Cowell put together during the 2010 edition of The X Factor. After failing to make it to the final in 2008, Payne returned again two years later as a solo artist before Cowell suggested he be reunited with four other contestants: Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. After the band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, Payne launched a solo career.

Stars from across the music industry paid tribute to Payne following news of his death, including the Backstreet Boys, Ty Dolla Sign and Charlie Puth. Payne’s One Direction bandmates issued statements both individually and collectively. “We are completely devastated by the news of Liam’s death,” the band posted on their official Instagram page. “As time goes on and everyone is able, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved very much.

See Cole’s post below.