For much of Bear Payne’s life, his beloved father Liam was a constant globetrotter, traveling the world, 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 made sure he was home to see his son: Christmas Day.
The couple opened gifts before enjoying a festive dinner and braving the cold to play with the singer’s giant toy dinosaurs in his garden.
Imagine, then, the pain that Bear, only seven years old, will suffer this year when he wakes up on Christmas morning without the presence of his beloved dad.
Liam died in October after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31 years old.
Bear’s mother, former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy, has done her best to fill that void.
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 had together, as well as creating new memories as they navigate what is deep grief.
Liam Payne, pictured with Cheryl, died in October after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Cheryl is determined to make Bear’s face light up on Christmas morning. In fact, over the festive period they will be receiving visits from all their loved ones, including the Payne family – Liam’s parents Karen and Geoff, and the star’s older sisters.
“It’s been a really sad time for Bear and Cheryl,” says a source close to the Payne family. ‘Cheryl has said it herself, but she is trying to get over the loss of her son and that will mean there are many milestones to come, the first of which is Christmas.
“That was the time when Liam would go to Cheryl’s house and, even though they weren’t together, they would give Bear the most special day.
‘Wherever Liam was in the world, he always made sure he was home to spend Christmas Day with Bear. (Bear) will always have those memories, but now things will be different.’
Despite splitting from Liam in 2018, when Bear was a toddler, Cheryl has remained close to her ex’s family. She has maintained contact with the former One Direction star’s parents and her sisters Ruth and Nicola, although she is said to be closer to the former.
Bear, who will turn eight in March, also gets on well with Ruth and Nicola’s children, and this year they will all come together.
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, at some point, see the children of Cheryl’s best friend and fellow Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh: Bobby, seven, Cole, five, and Nate, three.
Liam always made sure he was home with Bear, pictured as a baby, every Christmas Day.
“Cheryl has done everything she can to ensure Liam is not forgotten,” the source adds. ‘He’s been careful not to spoil Bear, given that he’s 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. It’s been an absolutely heartbreaking few months.
In fact, Bear, who will inherit the £30 million his father earned during his years in the boyband, won’t be spoiled too much. I’m told that Cheryl’s sensible parenting has helped Bear grow into an “adorable, charming and polite” boy.
Liam, however, was far from a traditional father and by his own admission was more ‘rock ‘n’ roll’. While he regularly called Bear and certainly did not shirk parental responsibility, he was rarely present in person.
Christmas, however, was different, with those who knew Liam describing him as always a “big kid” over the festive period.
That trend only became more pronounced when Bear came along. In 2019, when Bear was two, Liam said, “It’s the first time (Bear) has actually gotten Christmas.” However, I want to see if she actually gets around to unwrapping presents this year, because if not, she’ll be back to being Cheryl by the tree.
‘I can really remember it from last year. She wrapped them all up and then unwrapped them and I sat there thinking, ‘Well, what is this?’ Cheryl, who met Liam when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2009, has been described by Liam’s circle as the “matriarch” since his untimely death. She was key in organizing his funeral and has been a real comfort to the late star’s loved ones.
“Some might think it’s a little strange, given that they split up so long ago,” a friend tells me.
But it’s all because of Bear. She is determined that he has the most wonderful upbringing possible and also supports those in need.’
However, one person who won’t be at the Christmas celebrations is Liam’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.
The 25-year-old American influencer had been dating Liam for two years, but it is believed she and Bear never met.
It was understood that the first time she met Liam’s parents was at his funeral.
“Liam’s family didn’t really know Kate,” says a source with knowledge of Liam’s final months. “She was with Liam and they knew about her, but they were often abroad.
“Kate is going home to America for Christmas, she is devastated and needs her own family right now.” Meanwhile, questions continue to plague the Payne family during the final weeks of Liam’s life, which saw him increasingly out of control and depressed. A post-mortem examination found alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants in his system.
Three people have been charged in relation to his death, two for supplying narcotics and another for abandoning a person with subsequent death.
A source said: “It’s hard for the family to think about the last few weeks of their life in Argentina. It all became quite dirty and sad.
‘It’s devastating for them. Things got very difficult for him and they feel that Liam was disappointed.
“It’s no wonder they want to keep fond memories of him, which is what Bear represents.”