When Liam Payne Said He ‘Always Wanted To Be A Young Dad’ After Welcoming Son In 2017

Liam Payne, widely recognised for his musical talent as a member of the beloved band One Direction, will be remembered not just for his contributions to music but also as a devoted father. Tragically, he passed away on October 16 after “falling” from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31. In March 2017, Liam embraced fatherhood when he and his ex-partner, singer Cheryl Cole, welcomed their son, Bear, who is now 7 years old. Although he rarely discussed his personal life, Liam shared his thoughts on becoming a father in a 2018 interview and claimed how he always wanted to become a young dad.

Speaking with People, the late singer said, “I always wanted to be a young dad, but I didn’t really expect that I’d ever be in this place. When I’m at home, I’m a dad. Then when I [work], I see all these crazy things. I’ve been going by Dada Montana. He was already huge when he was born. I walked past a baby in the park and was like, ‘Mine was never that small.’ He was always massive. I look at him, like, ‘Where’s my little baby gone already?’ He’s walking around the house, pretending his teddy’s a phone. He’s awesome. And a lot of fun. I love spending time with him.”

Liam Payne consistently prioritised his son Bear’s privacy. However, earlier this year, the singer made a rare mention of Bear on his Snapchat, and that post went viral. On his 31st birthday, Payne shared how much Bear has started to resemble him.

He said, “I didn’t get any dad socks yet. But I am going to speak to my son in a little bit, which I’m really excited about. Bless him. He’s so big now. He’s a big boy, and he looks like a mini-me. As if we need any more me in the world.”

Before starting his solo career, Liam Payne was a member of One Direction, a popular boy band that also included Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. The group disbanded in 2016 and after years of silence on social media, the remaining members came together to share their sadness over Liam’s death. They released a statement, saying they were heartbroken by the news of his passing.

The band wrote, “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam. Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”

Liam Payne was declared dead after “falling” from the balcony of his room at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to police reports. Investigators have indicated that he was alone at the time of the accident and reportedly under the influence. This incident has left fans and loved ones in shock.