Cheryl and Liam Payne’s reported relationship troubles began after she rebuffed numerous marriage proposals, new reports claim.
The pair, who are at the centre of split rumours, reportedly hit the rocks after Liam felt ‘snubbed’ by her rejection.
This comes amid rumours that the One Direction singer, 24, and the former Girls Aloud star, 34, who share 11-month-old son Bear, could part ways ‘within weeks’.
According to reports Liam, who is worth £54million, has sought legal advice over what a split could mean for his finances.
And in a case of misjudged timing, Liam opened up about his disagreements with Cheryl on Monday, despite rumours his ‘oversharing’ was at the centre of their arguments.
Rejected? Cheryl and Liam Payne’s reported relationship troubles began after she rebuffed numerous marriage proposals, according to new reports
And now reports have surfaced claiming that the pair were on different pages, leading to their reported rift.
According to The Sun, a catalyst in the breakdown of their relationship came after they spent an increasing amount of time apart- Liam touring the US, while Cheryl stays at home with Bear.
‘Liam is smitten with his little boy and wants things to work between him and Cheryl, so thought talk of marriage was a positive step,’ a source has now claimed.
‘But she just doesn’t seem to be thinking in the same sort of way and has made it clear that’s not on the cards at the moment, which he saw as a real snub.
On different pages? The pair, who are at the centre of split rumours, reportedly hit the rocks after Liam felt ‘snubbed’ by her rejection
‘That’s put pressure on her and the relationship and they’ve drifted apart. Nobody is sure if they’ll be able to pull things back from the brink.’
This comes just a day after Liam opened up about their relationship on Monday- despite reports Cheryl is uncomfortable with his ‘oversharing’.
The singer was interviewed by Capital’s Roman Kemp on Monday, where he spoke about what divides them and also ‘mocked’ her Geordie accent.
Revealing that he supports West Brom, but Cheryl supports Newcastle, he laughed: ‘Well, this is the thing – Cheryl’s not really that massively into football but everyone likes to bring up where they’re from when this happens.’
On the rocks? This comes amid rumours that the One Direction singer, 24, and the former Girls Aloud star, 34, who share 11-month-old son Bear, could split ‘within weeks’
During the interview, Liam also attempted his finest Geordie accent, joking that that it was what Cheryl sounded like in the morning.
But the move could be detrimental, as the paper reported this week that Liam’s keenness to talk about their family had caused arguments.
While Cheryl has been famously discreet about their private life, Liam- who has had less experience with the press, has been more forthcoming.
According to the paper, a source claimed: ‘She’d ask him not to speak about her, or her opinions in interviews, but he’s naturally chatty and he’d let details slip.’
MailOnline broke the news on Sunday that their relationship was ‘under strain’, with Liam spending nights away from home while the singer looks after their child.
The couple, who are not married but son Bear and live together in a Surrey mansion, are said to be considering going their separate ways.
Awkward timing! On Monday Liam revealed what he and Cheryl disagree over, despite rumours his ‘oversharing’ was at the centre of their arguments
Larking about: The singer was interviewed by Capital’s Roman Kemp on Monday, where he spoke about what divides them and also ‘mocked’ her Geordie accent
Now it has been reported Liam has spoken to lawyers to see what a split would mean for their shared assets and the care of their son, according to the Sun.
Liam has an estimated fortune of £54million while Cheryl is said to be worth around £20million.
A source close to the couple told the newspaper: ‘Liam has sought some legal advice but he still wants to make it work.It’s just sensible to be prepared for all options.
‘With a young son and a number of assets between them there is more to breaking up than just parting ways. He hopes it doesn’t come to it but he’s just being careful.’
MailOnline has contacted Cheryl and Liam’s representatives for comment.
‘Liam is smitten with his little boy and wants things to work between him and Cheryl, so thought talk of marriage was a positive step,’ a source has now claimed
The latest claims come just hours after a source told the Mail on Sunday that the pair’s romance is in trouble.
‘It’s very sad – they tried very hard to make it work,’ they said. ‘They’re desperate to make a go of it but it’s absolutely on the rocks.’
A source close to Liam added: ‘It’s very difficult for them and extremely sad. Things go from being very calm to being very tough.
‘The crux of the problem is that Liam has to be away a lot. Cheryl has always understood he would have to work hard and be absent but the reality is that it’s not an easy thing to deal with. This relationship is hanging by a thread. Both of them are devastated.’
Another source close to the couple said: ‘Both of them desperately want it to work but it doesn’t look like things are going to end as they wished.
‘Their main concern is Bear and making sure that he remains the happy little boy he is.’
Divided: Liam supports West Brom, but Cheryl supports Newcastle – but isn’t that into the sport
Liam has been away on tour frequently over the past year, promoting his new album while Cheryl is said to have stayed at home looking after baby Bear at their Surrey home.
Recently he has been touring the US and spent time in New York promoting his new single For You, a duet with Rita Ora.
According to reports he has been flying between the US and the UK by private jet in a bid to spend more time with Cheryl, but the pair have not been seen together in public since October.
The new parents are struggling to find quality time together as they juggle their busy careers and care for their 11-month-old son, Bear, the source told MailOnline.
A source has told MailOnline that Cheryl is spending a lot of time at home on her own with Bear because she would rather stay in watching soaps on TV than go out to showbiz parties.
Concerned fans have pointed out that the couple have not been pictured together for some time and were not photographed together on Valentine’s Day.
‘She just doesn’t seem to be thinking in the same sort of way and has made it clear that’s (marriage) not on the cards at the moment, which he saw as a real snub,’ a source claimed (Liam seen solo at the British Vogue Fashion and Film party on Sunday)
Instead Liam posted an Instagram picture of Bear on Wednesday with the caption: ‘Happy Valentine’s Day @cherylofficial and everyone. Looks like I’ve got the big guy to compete with now.’
The post hid Bear’s face but focused on his personalised babygro which read: ‘Bear is Mummy’s little Valentine.’ Fans believed he had taken the picture.
Cheryl – who is living at their £5.6million country home in Surrey – did not publicly respond to his message.
A source told MailOnline: ‘Cheryl basically went into hibernation when she got pregnant and has made the decision to be a stay at home mother with no nanny and is looking after Bear herself. She doesn’t like going out much as she used to.’
Fans have recently questioned why the couple have not been pictured on social media together since August last year.
Leading separate lives: Cheryl, pictured here at St James’ Palace meeting Prince Charles earlier this month, is said to have stayed home to mind the couple’s son while Liam has been on tour
A friend of Cheryl said: ‘The fact of the matter is, like most young couples with busy work lives and the demands of an infant they have been struggling to spend time together.
‘There are the very real strains of trying to adapt to parenthood whilst being in the spotlight and having to appear as though everything is rosy all of the time.
‘It is not real life and is not the life Cheryl and Liam are currently living as a couple.’
Cheryl has been supported by her brother Gary and his partner, who she has moved into Liam’s home in Woking.
The Fight for this Love star sparked engagement rumours by showing off a whopping diamond on her ring finger during The Prince’s Trust gala last Thursday. She has since been seen without the ring.
Seeking advice: ‘Liam has sought some legal advice but he still wants to make it work. It’s just sensible to be prepared for all options. With a young son and a number of assets between them there is more to breaking up than just parting ways’, a source claims
Public show of affection? Liam posted an Instagram picture of Bear on Wednesday with the caption: ‘Happy Valentine’s Day @cherylofficial and everyone. Looks like I’ve got the big guy to compete with now’
The source added: ‘Cheryl just wants what every woman wants. A loving, happy family and someone to grow old with.
‘There is no doubt she wants more children – but it is fair to say at the moment there is a lot of pressure on both her and Liam. Being apart isn’t helping that.’
The couple’s lack of public outings together has already puzzled fans. One tweeted: ‘Hey @LiamPayne the last (time) you posted a selfie on Instagram with Cheryl was August last year.
‘Could you bless us with a new one please Liam. @CherylOfficial.’ Another follower wrote: ‘@CherylOfficial hello, I miss your selfies with liam x’.
Cheryl and Liam confirmed their romance in February 2016, and went on to delight fans with a number of cosy social media snaps before pregnancy rumours began to swirl.
The pair never confirmed they were expecting – but announced the birth of their son Bear with a sweet Instagram snap in March.
In better times? Cheryl and Liam confirmed their low-key romance in February 2016, and announced the birth of their son Bear with a sweet Instagram snap in March
Immediately after the birth, One Direction star Liam admitted the pair were open to having more children in the future.
Remaining mostly coy on the matter, he said of adding to their brood: ‘We have spoken about this. We will see what happens. We are in a routine now and loving life.’
Cheryl previously enjoyed a four-year marriage to former England footballer Ashley Cole, before it ended in 2010 over his infidelity.
She went on to marry playboy restaurateur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, tying the knot at a secret ceremony in Mustique in 2014 after just three months of dating. They divorced in 2016 after Cheryl cited ‘unreasonable behaviour.’
Former flames: Cheryl previously enjoyed a four-year marriage to former England footballer Ashley Cole, before it ended in 2010 over his infidelity