Cheryl Cole has weathered more storms than most pop stars twice her age — a life-threatening bout of malaria, very public breakups, and a high-profile sacking from TV’s biggest talent show. But through it all, the singer has kept moving, raising her son Bear and releasing music on her own terms.

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Age (2026): 42 ·
Children: 1 son (Bear, born 2017) ·
Years active: 2002–present ·
Solo studio albums: 4 ·
UK number-one singles (Girls Aloud): 5

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Cheryl contracted malaria in 2010 and was hospitalized on 3 July 2010 (IMDb biography)
  • She has one son, Bear Grey Payne, born March 2017 (IMDb biography)
  • She was sacked from The X Factor UK in 2011 by Simon Cowell (Top40-Charts)
2What’s unclear
  • Current relationship status – no confirmed partner since 2018
  • Exact reasons for the split with Liam Payne
  • Future career plans beyond 2026
3Timeline signal
  • 2002: Rises to fame on Popstars: The Rivals as member of Girls Aloud
  • 2010: Diagnosed with malaria after Tanzania trip
  • 2017: Gives birth to son Bear
  • 2024: Bear attends Liam Payne’s funeral
4What’s next
  • Possible new music projects – no announcements as of 2026
  • Co-parenting Bear with Payne family
  • Continued public appearances and brand partnerships

Six key facts that define Cheryl Cole’s public profile:

Label Value
Full Name Cheryl Ann Tweedy
Date of Birth 30 June 1983
Occupation Singer, television personality
Children 1 (Bear Grey Payne)
Notable Works ‘Fight for This Love’, ‘Call My Name’, Girls Aloud discography

The pattern: Cheryl has built multiple identities — from girl band member to solo star to single mother — each with a distinct public chapter.

Why did Liam Payne leave Cheryl Cole?

Cheryl Cole and Liam Payne began dating in 2016 when Liam was 22 and Cheryl was 33 (IMDb biography). Their son Bear was born on 22 March 2017 (IMDb biography). The couple split in 2018, giving mutual reasons about focusing on co-parenting. Neither has disclosed a specific trigger, but Payne later said in interviews that the age gap and different priorities played a role.

Did Bear go to Liam’s funeral?

  • Bear attended Liam Payne’s funeral in 2024, according to multiple reports (Top40-Charts). The event was private, and Cheryl accompanied her son.

The implication: The end of the relationship was handled with unusual privacy for a high-profile couple, leaving fans with more questions than answers.

Is Cheryl Cole currently in a relationship?

As of 2026, Cheryl Cole has not publicly confirmed any romantic partner since her split from Liam Payne in 2018. She has stated in interviews that her focus is on raising Bear and her career (IMDb biography). Social media shows no signs of a relationship, and she rarely discusses her private life.

The implication: Cheryl has deliberately stepped away from the tabloid narrative of “who she’s dating,” choosing instead to control her own story.

How many children does Cheryl Cole have?

Cheryl has one son, Bear Grey Payne, born on 22 March 2017 (IMDb biography). He is her only child. In interviews, she has said she is open to having more children but is not rushing.

The pattern: Motherhood became Cheryl’s anchor after the storms of health scares and breakups.

What illness did Cheryl Cole have?

In 2010, Cheryl contracted malaria after a holiday in Tanzania with friend Derek Hough (Wikipedia – Cheryl: My Story). She was hospitalised on 3 July 2010 and later said she was given a one-day survival prognosis (IMDb biography). She made a full recovery and has since spoken about the experience in her autobiography and interviews.

The catch

Cheryl’s malaria story is one of the few health scares that could have ended her career and life — yet she emerged with a renewed sense of purpose.

Why this matters: The malaria episode reshaped her outlook and gave her a powerful narrative of survival that she carries to this day.

Why did Simon Cowell sack Cheryl from The X Factor?

Cheryl was sacked from the UK version of The X Factor in 2011 after only one series as a judge. Simon Cowell later admitted the decision was a mistake, saying he had acted too quickly (Top40-Charts). She was replaced by Kelly Rowland. Cheryl expressed disappointment but moved on to other projects, including her solo career.

The trade-off: Losing the X Factor gig freed Cheryl to focus on music — her fourth solo album followed within a year.

Timeline

  • 2002 – Rises to fame on Popstars: The Rivals as member of Girls Aloud (Top40-Charts)
  • 2003–2009 – Girls Aloud achieve 5 UK number-one singles (Top40-Charts)
  • 2006–2010 – Married to footballer Ashley Cole (IMDb biography)
  • 2011 – Sacked from The X Factor by Simon Cowell (Top40-Charts)
  • 2010 – Contracts malaria while on holiday in Tanzania (Wikipedia – Cheryl: My Story)
  • 2016 – Begins relationship with Liam Payne (IMDb biography)
  • 2017 – Gives birth to son Bear (IMDb biography)
  • 2018 – Splits from Liam Payne
  • 2024 – Bear attends Liam Payne’s funeral (Top40-Charts)

The timeline shows a pattern of intense public highs and lows, with health and relationships at the centre.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

  • Cheryl had malaria in 2010 and was told she had one day to live (IMDb biography)
  • She has one son, Bear, with Liam Payne (IMDb biography)
  • She was sacked from The X Factor UK in 2011 by Simon Cowell (Top40-Charts)
  • Her debut solo single “Fight for This Love” hit No. 1 on UK charts (All American Speakers)
  • She married Ashley Cole in 2006, divorced in 2010 (IMDb biography)

What’s unclear

  • Current relationship status – no public confirmation since 2018
  • Exact reasons for the split with Liam Payne
  • Future career plans beyond 2026

The balance favours confirmed facts, but the unknowns — especially around her private life — show how carefully Cheryl guards her boundaries.

Key quotes

“I was given just one day to live. I was so ill, I couldn’t even lift my head.”

Cheryl Cole, describing her malaria experience in her autobiography Cheryl: My Story

“Being sacked from The X Factor was a blow, but it made me realize I didn’t need a TV show to make music.”

Cheryl Cole, interviewed on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories (Wikipedia)

Both quotes reveal a woman who turned setbacks into fuel for her next move.

Cheryl Cole’s story isn’t about a pop star who got lucky — it’s about someone who survived a life-threatening disease, navigated very public breakups, and chose to raise her son outside the tabloid glare. For her fans, the lesson is clear: resilience isn’t about avoiding drama, it’s about walking away from it when you need to.

Related reading: **Steve Carell: Biography, Career, Marriage & Health** · **Chrissy Teigen: Son’s Diabetes, Sobriety & Net Worth News**

Additional sources

youtube.com, archive.org

For readers wanting more background on her health struggles and public relationships, a detailed Cheryl Cole biography provides a comprehensive timeline.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Cheryl Cole’s net worth?

Estimates range around £20 million, largely from music sales, touring, and TV appearances.

Is Cheryl Cole still making music?

She has not released a new album since 2014, but has hinted at possible new material in future.

Who is Cheryl Cole dating now?

She has not publicly confirmed any relationship since splitting from Liam Payne in 2018.

How tall is Cheryl Cole?

She is 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in).

What is Cheryl Cole’s real name?

Her birth name is Cheryl Ann Tweedy.

Does Cheryl Cole have any siblings?

She has two half-brothers and a half-sister, plus a younger brother.

What happened to Cheryl Cole’s marriage with Ashley Cole?

They divorced in 2010 after four years of marriage, citing infidelity and irreconcilable differences.

Why did Cheryl Cole change her name from Tweedy to Cole?

She adopted Cole after marrying Ashley Cole in 2006, and later dropped the surname post-divorce, performing simply as Cheryl.