For most of Bear Payne’s life, his beloved father Liam has been a constant guide around the world, racing across the globe, determined to achieve success as a solo artist. But without fail, no matter how far Liam had to travel, there was always one time of year when he was sure he was home to see his son: Christmas.
The couple opened presents before enjoying a celebratory dinner and braving the cold to play with the singer’s giant toy dinosaurs that he kept in his garden.
So imagine the pain this year for Bear, who is just seven years old, when he wakes up on Christmas morning without his beloved dad around.
Liam died in October when he fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31 years old.
It’s a void that Bear’s mother, former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy, has done her best to fill.
I can reveal that the 41-year-old has gone to great lengths to help Bear remember his father and the many happy times they shared together – as well as making new memories as they navigate what is deep grief.
Liam Payne, pictured with Cheryl, died in October when he fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Cheryl is determined that Bear’s face will shine on Christmas morning. Indeed, over the festive period he will be visited by all his loved ones, including the Payne family – Liam’s parents Karen and Geoff and the star’s older sister.
‘It was a very sad time for Bear and Cheryl,’ says a source close to the Payne family. ‘Cheryl said it herself, but she is trying to get over her son losing his dad, and that will mean many milestones to come, the first of which is Christmas.
‘It was a time when Liam would skip Cheryl’s and despite not being together, they would give Bear the most special days.
‘Wherever Liam was in the world, he would always make sure he was home to spend Christmas with Bear. (Bear) will always have those memories, but now things will be different.’
Despite splitting from Liam in 2018, when Bear was a child, Cheryl remained close to her ex’s family. She has kept in touch with the former One Direction star’s parents and his sisters Ruth and Nicola – although she is said to be closer to the former.
Bear, who turns eight in March, also gets on well with Ruth and Nicola’s children, and they will all come together this year.
Cheryl’s mother Joan, who spends a lot of time with her grandson, is also expected to be there, traveling from Newcastle to Cheryl’s home in Buckinghamshire.
Bear will also see the sons of Cheryl’s best friend and Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh at some point – Bobby, seven, Cole, five, and Nate, three.
Liam always made sure he was home with Bear, pictured as a baby, every Christmas
“Cheryl tried very hard not to forget Liam,” adds the source. ‘She was careful not to spoil Bear, as he is the son of two rich people, but this year is going to be tough and everyone wants to see a smile on Bear’s face. He has had an absolutely heartbreaking few months.’
Indeed, Bear – who will inherit the £30m his father made during his years in the band – will not be overly pleased. I’m told Cheryl’s sensible parenting has helped Bear become a ‘wonderfully lovely and polite’ boy.
Liam, however, was far from a traditional father, and he himself admitted that he was more ‘rock’n’roll’. Although he would regularly call Bear and certainly did not shirk his parental responsibility, he was rarely present in person.
Christmas was different though, with those who knew Liam describing him as always being like a ‘big kid’ during the festive period.
This tendency only became more pronounced when Bear came. In 2019, when Bear was two, Liam said: ‘It’s the first time (Bear) is really getting Christmas now. I want to see if she actually gets presents this year, because if not, it’ll just be Cheryl by the pine tree again.
‘I really remember him from last year. She wrapped them all up and then unwrapped them, and I was just sitting there going, ‘Okay, what is this?’ Cheryl – who first met Liam when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2009 – has described Liam’s circle as a ‘matriarch’ since his untimely death. She was instrumental in organizing his funeral and was a real comfort to the loved ones of the late star.
‘Some might think it’s a little strange considering they split up so long ago,’ a friend tells me.
“But it’s all for Bear. She is determined that he will have as wonderful an upbringing as possible, and she also supports those who need it.’
However, one person who won’t be at the Christmas bash is Liam’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.
The 25-year-old American influencer dated Liam for two years, but it is believed she and Bear never met.
It is understood that she first met Liam’s parents at his funeral.
‘Liam’s family didn’t really know Kate,’ says a source familiar with Liam’s final months. ‘She was with Liam and they knew about her, but they were often abroad.
‘Kate is going home to the States for Christmas, she is devastated and needs a family of her own right now.’ Meanwhile, questions continue to haunt the Payne family during the last few weeks of Liam’s life, as he increasingly loses control and descends into depression. An autopsy found alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants in his body.
Three people have been charged with his death, two with obtaining narcotics, and one with abandoning a person which was followed by death.
A source said: ‘It is difficult for the family to think about the last weeks of his life in Argentina. Everything became quite dirty and sad.
‘It’s devastating for them. Things have become very difficult for him and they feel that Liam has been let down.
‘It’s not surprising that they would want to keep fond memories of him, which Bear represents.’
