Singers Cheryl and Liam Payne have officially announced their split among rumours the two were on the rocks for months. They each tweeted out statements about the decision to end their relationship. Cheryl wrote: While Payne also said: The couple had been dating for two-and-a-half years and have a one-year-old son named Bear. The couple first met 10 years ago when Payne was audition for <em>The X Factor UK</em> while Cheryl was one of the judges. The future One Direction star was just 14 at the time. While he advanced past the audition stages, he didn't survive the judges' house where he was told by Simon Cowell to "come back in two years." Two years later, he returned to the show and was put in the newly formed One Direction by Cowell. In late December 2015, Cheryl and Payne were once again reunited on <em>The X Factor</em> as One Direction performed during the finale. By early 2016, the couple confirmed their relationship. Here's a look at the two of them together during happier times: Cheryl uploaded this photo hinting at the relationship by writing: "My mystery man line up #whosthemysteryman #whoisit #whosworthit": While Payne uploaded a photo confirming themselves as a couple: Here the two travel to Cannes: Cheryl shares a photo of Payne with "their newest family member": Sharing the announcement of the birth of their baby boy Bear: A selfie uploaded by Payne in August 2017: And the last photo posted of the couple from either of their accounts shows them at the Brit awards in early 2018: __________________________<br/> <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/showbiz-relationship-splits-we-didn-t-see-coming-1.617575">Showbiz relationship splits we didn't see coming</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/chris-pratt-and-anna-faris-announce-separation-1.617442">Chris Pratt and Anna Faris announce separation</a></strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/john-legend-alicia-keys-and-more-show-support-at-families-belong-together-march-1.745829">John Legend, Alicia Keys and more show support at Families Belong Together march</a></strong> __________________________