EXCLUSIVE: Cheryl has been left ‘heartbroken’ over the fact that Liam Payne’s final TV project, Netflix talent show Building The Band, is now available for the world to see

Liam Payne and Cheryl are parents to son, Bear

Emotions were running high last week when the first four episodes of Liam Payne’s final TV project, the Netflix talent show Building The Band, were released.

And no one was finding it harder than Liam’s former partner, Cheryl Tweedy, the mother of their eight-year-old son, Bear. According to those close to her, the former Girls Aloud star found it “heartbreaking”, as the programme highlighted the sheer magnitude of her and Bear’s loss.

“It is very sad for Cheryl,” a source told the Mirror. “She’s very proud that Liam’s final project is now available for the world to see, but obviously it’s heartbreaking, too, after Liam’s death. It’s a poignant reminder to Cheryl – and to his fans – of how much more Liam could have done with his life. But that potential was tragically cut short.”

Liam Payne’s final TV project, the Netflix talent show Building The Band was recently released(Image: Netflix)

Cheryl, 42, who was in a relationship with Liam from 2016 to 2018, is said to be focusing on how this will affect Bear, and how much Liam is missed as a father.

“He had so much going for him, as well as being a devoted father to Bear,” our source claimed. “It’s another reason why Cheryl wanted to continue with her own TV career – to show Bear that there is life after losing Liam, that you can be strong and that he can pick himself up. He can be anything he wants to be in life.”

Last week, Building The Band’s host, AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys, paid tribute to the One Direction star, who died last October at the age of just 31.

At the start of the first episode, AJ, 47, said of his late friend and co-star, “When we came together to film Building The Band, we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend, Liam Payne.

“Liam is a guest judge in later episodes and, through his presence, we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice. It’s through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.”

One devastated fan who watched the show posted, “It’s so good to see him happy and in his element, but it’s sad knowing this is his last project. I can’t watch this without bawling my eyes out.”

Other fans were equally triggered by the sight of Liam, who looked healthy and happy on their screens. “Emotional and angry he can’t be here,” wrote one follower, while another added, “My heart stopped for a moment when I heard his voice and then saw him.”

Liam finished filming the show, in which he appears alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland as a guest judge, just two months before he tragically died after falling from his hotel suite in Argentina.

While he doesn’t appear in the first four episodes, the singer is prominent in the show’s trailer and will feature later in the series, after his devastated family gave Netflix their blessing.

Prior to Building The Band’s release, Liam’s sister, Ruth, said that she was “heartbroken” her brother won’t get to see how his final TV project turned out.

“He knew he had done a good job, we all told him this when we were at filming, but watching it back–woah!” she said on her Instagram Stories.

“There are a range of emotions I felt watching this, but one of the main ones is immeasurable pride, always. Miss you more every day.”

In a touching full-circle moment, Liam appears alongside former Pussycat Dolls star Nicole, who helped put One Direction together during her stint as an X Factor judge back in 2010.

Cheryl posted a picture of Liam Payne holding their baby boy, Bear(Image: Daily Record)

At the time of his death, Liam had already recorded a substantial amount of footage and the streaming giant confirmed that he would remain central to its narrative, having been given the go-ahead by his family.

Showrunner Cat Lawson described him as a “glorious person”, adding, “The show is dedicated to Liam. We all loved him and he was amazing in the show.”

Simon Hay, the shooting producer- director, remembered Liam as “chatty and approachable”, adding that he always remembered people’s names.

Poignantly, Liam seems in good spirits on screen as he helps aspiring artists on their path to success. But for many fans, seeing their idol was a bittersweet experience.

“Oh, how it hurts seeing him, but I couldn’t be prouder of this wonderful human being,” one wrote, while another said, “They honoured Liam in a way that truly reflected who he was.”

Liam’s appearance is a far cry from the disturbing picture that was painted following his untimely death in Buenos Aires. Last November, toxicology tests revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his body, while a post-mortem determined his cause of death as “multiple trauma” and “internal and external haemorrhage” as a result of his fatal fall.

Following the shock news of Liam’s passing, Cheryl described the loss as “earth-shattering”, adding, “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.”