Cheryl Cole, the mother of Liam Payne’s son, Bear, has spoken out after the singer’s sudden death.
The “Fight for this Love” singer took to Instagram Friday to remember the former One Direction member.
“As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I’d like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being,” she wrote alongside a throwback black-and-white photo of Payne in bed with their then-newborn baby.
She continued, “Liam was not only 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 that now has to face the harsh reality of never seeing his father again.”
Cole proceeded to ask for kindness and plead that her child be spared from too many details of his father’s tragic death.
“Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them,” she begged. “Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.”
Cole and Payne dated for more than two years before their breakup in 2018. The pair struck up a relationship shortly after she ended her marriage to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in 2015.
They welcomed their son, Bear, in 2017.
At the time of their split — which they called a “mutual loving decision” in a social media statement — sources said they were still close friends.
“Cheryl and Liam worked really hard on their relationship — they had troubles earlier this year and were able to get through them,” one insider told the Sun. “But they’re in different stages of their lives and, after a lot of careful thought, came to a decision that it’s best for everyone if they do go their separate ways.”
Payne died Wednesday at age 31 after falling from the third floor of his hotel room in Argentina.
He suffered multiple traumas that led to internal and external bleeding and a fractured skull, according to the National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office.
Officials also said Payne was likely “in a state of semi or total unconsciousness” when he fell, as drugs and alcohol had been found in his hotel room.
Investigators have since questioned two prostitutes who were in the star’s room hours before his death, one of whom he was reportedly seen arguing with in the lobby over a payment issue.
Payne had been on vacation with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, but she left the country two days before his fatal fall.
Shortly after his death, a source close to the singer told Page Six exclusively that Payne had been going through a rough patch in his life for some time.
“Liam had been cycling through periods of ruinous behavior for a long time,” the insider said.
“He was open about his struggles but tried to downplay them at times. His demons were much worse than he let on.”