The X Factor’s first couple have decided to call it quits. Former One Direction-er Liam Payne and Girls Aloud alumna Cheryl (who transcended the need for anything as mundane as a surname a long time ago) announced last night that their two year relationship has come to an end.
Like so many high-profile couples before them, the pair (who are parents to a one-year-old son, Bear Grey) broke the news in tandem. At around 10pm on Sunday night, near-identical break-up statements appeared on their personal Twitter accounts. ‘Cheryl and I are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways,’ Liam wrote. ‘It’s been a tough decision for us to make. We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.’ Cheryl’s post takes the same wording, but opens with a royal ‘we’ instead.
If reading those lines leaves you with a lingering sense of déjà vu, that’s probably because the fine-tuned language of the A-list break-up statement is now so ubiquitous. In 2014, when Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin told the world – though the medium of a Goop blog post, no less –that they’d be ‘consciously uncoupling,’ the world eye-rolled in unison, but these two words have a lot to answer for: in the years since, the vocabulary of breaking up in public is all about love, respect and mutual understanding. Which, of course, is not to say that things are necessarily quite so Zen behind the scenes – just that the couples have perhaps seen the value in selling a narrative that’s drama-free, rather than filled with acrimony. When stars are not just stars but brands, getting that handful of lines just right is vitally important.
Look at the statements that have accompanied just a handful of this year’s biggest celebrity splits – Cheryl and Liam, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, and Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan – and you’ll find that they are all couched in the same rhetoric. Channing and Jenna had ‘loving chosen to separate’ after their ‘magical journey’ and ‘beautiful adventure’ as a couple came to an end.’ Jennifer and Justin had ‘decided to part ways as a couple,’ but ‘look forward to continuing [their] cherished friendship’ and ‘deep respect and love.’
Where break-up statements were once released through a publicist and then printed in a weekly gossip magazine, social media has fostered an illusory sense of closeness with our favourite stars. An announcement on Twitter or Instagram, then, can feel more authentic – but, behind the scenes, the likelihood is that a three-line statement has been weeks in the making. According to one PR expert, a break-up statement will now be managed in the same way as a divorce settlement (bar the obvious legal differences). 'Cheryl and Liam would have had very little to do with the final statement, other than approve it before being published.' explains PR director Hayley Smith of Boxed Out PR. 'It would have been signed off by a full management team, as well as a social media manager who would have compiled the post.' Rather than letting the press get there first with a potentially damaging narrative, it's hardly a surprise that Liam and Cheryl (who has first-hand experience of how the papers can jump on a divorce saga) would want this break-up to be on their own terms. ‘Statements allow the couple to remain in control of the story, and are a protective strategy to stop their fans listening to rumours, false reports or sourced stories,' Hayley adds. Going straight to the fans rather than, say, opting for a magazine exclusive, is the best way to keep the public on-side, it seems. ‘It’s a great way of putting content out directly in front of their fans rather than through an external source,’ she continues. ‘This builds trust and loyalty, which are very much needed during a break-up.’
The fact that Cheryl and Liam’s statements are almost identical (bar a difference in pronouns) will be another choreographed move: even the slightest variation in phrasing or choice of words would, after all, spark endless speculation. ‘A joint statement is better,’ says Hayley. ‘It shows a united front, but also means that people have less to read into. Even the slightest changes can be significantly read into by fans and press, so publishing the same content is less likely to cause further issues.’
As for what will come next? Don’t expect the either half of the former couple to step straight into a tell-all interview. ‘They’ve said what needed to be said, so there is no need to respond further. Silence and moving forward will send a stronger message,’ says Hayley. ‘Speaking about each other with respect and continued love will help keep fans on-side and stop the rumour mill from turning. People are always going to talk, but how you act and respond to it will say more about Cheryl and Liam as individuals, and will be more positive for their careers.’
Look back at the most unusual celebrity baby names in the gallery below...
RADIO Strangest celebrity baby names - stacked
1 of 69Lyra Antarctica
Ed Sheeran and Cherry Seaborn decided to call their baby girl Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran.
2 of 69Axel
Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards chose to call her first child Axel, a cute little tribute to her partner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's surname.
3 of 69Rumi and Sir Carter
Beyoncé and Jay-Z welcomed twins Rumi and Sir Carter into the world in June 2017, after having daughter Blue Ivy in 2012.
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4 of 69True
Following in her sister's footsteps, Khloe Kardashian called her first born child True.
5 of 69Bear Grey
Cheryl and Liam Payne's baby boy was named Bear Grey Payne after Cheryl was inspired by the little'un's "grizzling" noises following his birth.
6 of 69Harper Seven
Victoria and David's daughter was named after 'To Kill A Mockingbird' author Harper Lee, with her middle name being taken from David's famous football number.
7 of 69North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm
The names Kim Kardashian and Kanye West decided on for their children.
8 of 69Kulture
Cardi B and Offset called their daughter Kulture. The pair welcomed a son in 2021, but she's yet to confirm his name.
9 of 69Sunday
TOWIE star Ferne McCann decided to call her baby girl Sunday.
10 of 69Gunner Stone
Reality TV couple Heidi and Spencer Pratt welcomes their first child Gunner in October 2017.
11 of 69Dream Renée
Dream is the daughter of Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna, who have since split.
12 of 69Daye Colmic
Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe and her partner Greg Lake chose to call their first son Daye. Jennifer admitted she 'made the name up', adding that his middle name, Colmic, was made up of her and Greg's fathers' names, Colin and Michael.
13 of 69Dusty Rose
Dusty is Maroon 5's Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo's first child.
14 of 69Max Mario, Buddy Bob And Buzz Michelangelo
McFly's Tom Fletcher and his wife Giovanna have three sons - Buzz Michelangelo, Buddy Bob and Max Mario Fletcher.
15 of 69Luna Simone Stephens
As did John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, who called their first child Luna. Her surname is Stephens as that is John's real surname.
16 of 69Phineas
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel welcomed their second child into the world in July 2020, with Justin confirming in early 2021 that they decided to call their second son Phineas.
17 of 69Petal Blossom Rainbow, Buddy Bear Maurice and River Rocket Blue Dallas
Jools Oliver shared this sweet snap with her husband Jamie and three of their children.
18 of 69Coco Valentine
Actress Chelsee Healey revealed on Instagram that she'd chosen to call her first born daughter Coco.
19 of 69Cobi
The name of Westlife's Kian Egan and Jodi Albert's third son.
20 of 69Journey River
Journey is Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green's third child.
21 of 69Bellatrix
Competitive sailor Sir Ben Ainslie and wife Georgia took inspiration from Harry Potter when deciding on Bellatrix as their first child's name.
22 of 69Remington Alexander
Kelly Clarkson welcomed baby Remi to world in 2016.
23 of 69Bowie Grey
Emmerdale stars Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb said the name has nothing to do with David Bowie.
24 of 69Kit, Kai, Klay and Cass
Wayne and Coleen Rooney definitely have a theme when it comes to their children - eldest Kai Wayne, Klay Anthony, Kit Joseph and Cass Mac.
25 of 69Bowie
Take That's Howard Donald named his son after David Bowie.
26 of 69Elsie Otter and Charlie Wolf
Zooey Deschanel and husband Jacob Pechenik incorporated her love of animals into their daughter and son's names.
27 of 69Pilot Inspektor
Actor Jason Lee used lyrics from his favourite song.
28 of 69Bluebell Madonna
Geri Horner (née Halliwell) followed in bandmate Victoria's footsteps with this quirky name!
29 of 69Kingston James McGregor, Zuma Nesta Rock and Apollo Bowie Flynn
Gwen Stefani shares three sons with her ex-husband Gavin Rossdale, pictured here with Kingston and Zuma.
30 of 69Arpad Flynn Alexander and Aurelius Cy Andrea Busson
Model Elle McPherson shares her two sons with her ex, Arpad Busson.
31 of 69Seargeoh
Sylvester Stallone's son, a variant on the Italian name Sergio.
32 of 69Ocean, Sonnet, Autumn, True
Actor Forest Whitaker's name choices are rather poetic for his children.
33 of 69Kal-El
Nicholas Cage gave his son Superman's original birth name.
34 of 69Audio Science
Shannyn Sossamon "Wanted a word not a name".
35 of 69Bear Blaze
Titanic actress Kate Winslet called her son Bear Blaze when he was born in 2013.
36 of 69Royal Reign
Lil' Kim had her very own Royal baby.
37 of 69Marquise
50 Cent's son born in 1997.
38 of 69Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q
Well this name started out quite normal, Bono...
39 of 69Zowie
David Bowie's son Zowie Bowie, rolls off the tongue!
40 of 69Apple
Chris Martin & Gwyneth Paltrow must love fruit, or modern technology...
41 of 69Betty Kitten
A purrfect name from Jonathan Ross.
42 of 69Seven Sirius
Andre 3000 named his son after a star.
43 of 69Shiloh Nouvel
It wouldn't be Brad & Angelina without unusual baby names.
44 of 69Willow Camille Reign
Will Smith's daughter Willow was born in 2000.
45 of 69Hopper
Sean Penn's son named after the late-great Dennis Hopper.
46 of 69Bear Blu
Alicia Silverstone gives us another celebrity child called Bear.
47 of 69Bodhi Ransom
Megan Fox's son born in 2014.
48 of 69Ode Mountain
Hunger Games' Jena Malone and Ethan DeLorenzo welcomed their first child in May 2016.
49 of 69Rosalind Arusha Arkadina Altalune Florence
Uma Thurman clearly just couldn't decide on one name.
50 of 69Sparrow James Midnight
Robin is a common bird in spired name, Nicole Richie didn't fancy that!
51 of 69Kahekili
Evangeline Lily's son, 'Kahekili' is Hawaiian for Thunder.
52 of 69Fifi Trixabelle
In terms of unconventional names, Bob Geldof set the bar high in 1983.
53 of 69Ennio Stanley
Example and his wife Erin McNaught called their second baby Ennio.
54 of 69Wren Ivy
Call The Midwife stars Helen George and Jack Ashton called their beautiful baby girl Wren Ivy.
55 of 69Wolf Nine
Footballer Andy Carroll and his partner Billi Mucklow called their second son Wolf Nine. In September 2020, the pair welcomed a baby girl and called her Marvel.
56 of 69Cruze Joshua
Former Ex On The Beach star Lillie Lexie Gregg called her son Cruze.
57 of 69Birdie Mae
Jessica Simpson and her husband Eric Johnson decided to call their daughter Birdie Mae.
58 of 69Dusty Violet
EastEnders actress Lacey Turner and her husband Matt Kay welcomed their first child in 2019. The couple decided to call her Dusty Violet Kay.
59 of 69Koppang
The adorable name of Dermot O'Leary and his wife Dee's first child, born in June 2020.
60 of 69Win Wilson
Singer Ciara and her husband Russell Wilson welcomed their first baby together on 23rd July! Announcing the happy news on Instagram, Ciara revealed her baby's unique name, 'Happy Birthday WIN!!! Mommy & Daddy Love You! Win Harrison Wilson 7.23.2020 8lbs 1 oz. ❤ufe0f ud83dudc76ud83cudffd'
61 of 69Rafe
Chris and Rosie Ramsey picked the unusual name of Rafe for their second son who was born in January 2021.
62 of 69Santiago
Love Island winner Dani Dyer revealed her son's name as Santiago (Santi) for short. The unusual name is Spanish and means 'Saint James' - the patron saint of Spain.
63 of 69Slimane Ray
Professor Green and his girlfriend Karima McAdams welcomed their first child into the world on Monday 15th March, deciding on the name Slimane Ray Manderson.
64 of 69Jupiter Iris
High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale and her husband Christopher French chose a space-themed name for their first child.
65 of 69Ender Ridley Aydin
Although she didn't reveal the gender, Halsey called her baby Ender Ridley Aydin.
66 of 69Prince Tyson Fury II, Prince Adonis Amaziah, Prince John James, Venezuela, Valencia Amber and Athena
Tyson and Paris Fury are no stranger to unique baby names!
67 of 69Cosmo
Baby Cosmo was born to Scarlett Johansson and her husband, Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost.
68 of 69Ottilie Rue
YouTube sensation Zoe Sugg (Zoella) and her husband Alfie Deyes opted for a unique name choice for their baby girl.
69 of 69Stormi, Wolf
Kylie Jenner and her boyfriend Travis Scott decided to call their first child Stormi, followed four years later by their second child who was originally named Wolf, however the couple later decided to change his name.