Cheryl's huge TV comeback will be 'bittersweet' after ex Liam Payne's death

Daily Record

17 hours ago

A source says the new role will be 'bittersweet' for Cheryl after the death of her ex, Liam Payne.
Cheryl Tweedy has been off the television scene for over half a decade, but her anticipated return to TV is tinged with sadness following the passing of her former partner, Liam Payne.
The Newcastle-born songstress, who last graced our screens in a major TV role in 2019, is rumoured to be joining her old friend will.i.am as a mentor on the upcoming series of The Voice UK.
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A source speaking exclusively to OK! magazine revealed that despite her illustrious career, this opportunity on the ITV programme could be "the biggest role of her life".
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"This is really important for Cheryl," the insider divulged. "She realised after Liam's death that you just don't know what's around the corner – life isn't a dress rehearsal. A comeback on a TV show like The Voice has always been at the back of her mind, will.i.am has always wanted her back and Liam's passing sort of made the decision for her.
"She wants Bear to see that she's a strong, successful woman, and to see that life can go on and even be good."
Recent reports suggest that the former Girls Aloud member, aged 42 and mother to eight year old Bear, is in discussions to join the next instalment of The Voice UK, set to broadcast early next year.
The potential judging panel is said to include will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones, Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher as a duo, along with newcomer Kelly Rowland, reports the Mirror.
A source revealed to The Sun that Cheryl was taking "baby steps" in her television career and represented the "obvious choice" to guide will.i.am's team when the reimagined Battle Rounds commence.
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"Cheryl and will.i.am first worked together 16 years ago and have remained good friends ever since," the insider revealed.
Former One Direction star Liam tragically plunged to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires during October, at just 31 years old. Following their two-year romance which ended in 2018, Cheryl was granted joint responsibility for overseeing Liam's £24 million estate alongside an entertainment industry solicitor.
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With several months having elapsed since Liam's tragic passing, our insider suggested Cheryl feels prepared to demonstrate to both the public and herself that she remains a formidable presence.
"She's not doing it for the money or for fame, she's had the most incredible career already. It's about proving she's strong and capable after so much heartache, and letting Bear see that too," they explained. "It's probably going to be the biggest challenge she's faced but she's determined to do it – and to do it well."
Cheryl's most recent major television appearance was as a dance captain on the BBC's The Greatest Dancer, before taking on a starring role in the West End production 2:22 A Ghost Story during 2023.
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Public relations specialist Lynn Carratt reckons Cheryl's extensive background positions her perfectly for a successful comeback, though she must be emotionally equipped for renewed public scrutiny.
"Let's not forget, Cheryl's whole career has been built around music talent shows," she told new. She won Popstars: The Rivals with Girls Aloud and worked on The X Factor so she's been in the same position as the contestants – they'll really relate to her experience and authenticity in that area.
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"But she's had so much going on, overcoming the death of Liam, looking after Bear and her stalker hell. This could be a good way of easing herself back into the public eye, after months in the wilderness."
The opportunity might prove "bittersweet" for Cheryl, Lynn suggests, given that one of Liam's final television ventures was Netflix's Building The Band, which launches this week on the platform.
"It's probably quite nerve-wracking for her too," Lynn continued. "And good that she could be a mentor and not a full-time judge."
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Liam's passing also occurred merely three years following Cheryl's loss of Girls Aloud colleague Sarah Harding, who passed away just two months before reaching 40 from breast cancer. Beyond the Girls Aloud comeback tour alongside Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, Cheryl has maintained a deliberately low profile.
Lynn observed that Cheryl has consistently remained the most reserved when it comes to public attention and never truly embraced the instant stardom that followed the group's Popstars: The Rivals victory 23 years ago.
"She'll turn up and do the Girls Aloud tour and she'll be on TV, but then she'll go away and you might not see her for a long time," she stated.
"She's very focused now on being a mum to Bear. He's still young but he's growing up and since Liam's death, she's probably wanted to be there for him a lot more. She's a single parent now – there's no escaping that – so she has to pick her jobs carefully."
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