Looking back at Liam Payne’s cherished Christmas tradition with ex Cheryl Cole and their son Bear

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole might have called it quits while their son Bear was still a baby, but they were totally committed to raising him as a team — especially around the holidays. Even after they split in 2018, they kept things friendly and worked together to make sure Christmas was always magical for their little boy.

Liam, who sadly passed away last month at 31, had always been open about how much he loved Christmas with Bear. As Bear grew older and started to really understand the holiday, Liam couldn’t wait to make it special.

Liam Payne expressed excitement over a Christmas tradition

Back in 2019, when Bear was around two-and-a-half years old, Liam Payne shared on 'This Morning' about his plans for Christmas that year.

"I’m going to go down and see Bear, maybe cook a Christmas dinner and just hang out with family," he said. “Yeah, we’re going to go down and cook some food and hang out.”

Liam, being the proud dad he was, was so excited to see if Bear would finally get the hang of unwrapping presents.

"I think it's the first time he really gets Christmas now," he laughed. "I want to see if he actually gets unwrapping presents this year though, because otherwise, it'll just be Cheryl by the tree again."

"I can really remember it from last year, she wrapped them all up and then unwrapped them and I just sat there going, 'Right, what is this?''"

Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole always had a strong bond

Despite going their separate ways, Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole always had each other’s backs as parents. They broke up just after Bear’s first birthday, but there was no bad blood — they even stayed nearby each other so Bear’s life could be as normal as possible.

On Logan Paul’s podcast 'Impaulsive', Liam opened up about how much he appreciated their arrangement. "I get to take my son to school one or two times a week, and it's the best thing," he shared.

He also had only good things to say about Cheryl.

"The relationship we have now as friends has only grown more. We broke up for a reason and now she gives me full autonomy of my life and to do what I do and I know he's [Bear's] taken care of. He is all she cares about and I couldn't ask for more."

"They live like three minutes from my house. I always glue myself to where he is. My life now is his," he added.

Cheryl Cole's emotional tribute after Liam Payne's tragic death

After Liam Payne's death, Cheryl Cole released a heartbreaking statement about Bear now facing "the reality of never seeing his father again".

She wrote, "As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being. Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity; he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our seven-year-old son."

"A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again. What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future," Cheryl added.

Liam tragically died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16. His body is expected to return to the UK soon, with his funeral arrangements set to happen in the coming days, the Daily Mirror reported.