On October 18, just two days after Payne fell from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Cheryl shared a touching throwback photo of their son with his father. In her post, she emphasized the need to protect Bear from media exploitation, highlighting the painful reality that he will grow up without his father.
Cheryl reminded everyone that Payne was more than just a pop star; he was also a son, brother, friend, and father. She expressed her concerns about Bear facing the “abhorrent reports” and media coverage surrounding Payne's death, saying, “It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future.”
Cheryl criticized the sensationalized reports, calling them harmful to those left behind. She urged the public to consider the impact of their comments and content, asking, “Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them.” She called for some dignity for Payne in the wake of his death, asking for him to be allowed to rest in peace.
The couple first met in 2008 on the set of X Factor, where Payne was a contestant and Cheryl was a judge. Their friendship blossomed into a romance, and they welcomed Bear in 2017. Although they split in 2018, they maintained a good co-parenting relationship until Payne’s untimely passing.