Cheryl makes first TV appearance since Liam Payne's death, leaving fans in tears
Cheryl has made her first TV appearance following the tragic death of her ex Liam Payne. The One Direction singer tragically died last month at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cheryl, who shared seven-year-old Bear with Liam, was joined by her fellow Girls Aloud bandmates on Friday, 15 November in a pre-recorded clip for Children in Need.
The clip, which was filmed earlier this year, showed Cheryl alongside Nadine Coyle, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh as they promoted this year’s charity single - a new release of I’ll Stand By You with Sarah Harding on lead vocals. As well as the band themselves being on the verge of tears, viewers were also incredibly emotional watching the girls' reunion.
In the clip, Cheryl, 41, opened up about the significance of the song. In addition to becoming the band’s second ever number one single, the track gained a whole new significance following Sarah’s death three years ago.
READ MORE: I'm A Celeb's Coleen Rooney 'to make early exit' from show after being dealt huge blow
READ MORE: Rylan tells Rob Rinder he's taking out an 'injunction' after sparking engagement rumours
“Back in 2004 we were really honoured to be asked to release the official Children In Need single of our cover I’ll Stand By You,” said Nicola. “There was a huge campaign that we travelled around the UK to promote the song and the amazing work Children In Need do,” added Nadine.
Meanwhile, Cheryl added: “It was our second ever number one single. We’ve played it at every tour ever since.”
Kimberley then became emotional as she discussed the impact of losing Sarah following her death in 2021 following complications with breast cancer. She was just 39 years old.
“When we got back together to tour earlier this year we dedicated the song I’ll Stand By You to Sarah at every show. We went through the Girls Aloud vault and put together a version where Sarah’s incredible voice took the lead so we could duet with her,” Nicola continued.
Nadine and Cheryl then went on to introduce the single, which has been released with Sarah on the lead vocals. To help raise funds for the charity, money from each sale will be going to BBC Children In Need to help care for more children and families across the UK.
In response to Girls Aloud’s appearance, fans took to social media to share their heartbreak at the emotional tribute to Sarah. “This girls aloud thing so beautiful My faves growing up. Sarah's death hugely got to me,” wrote one. “Show the whole thing! #childreninneed absolutely beautiful song and video by girls aloud there,” another added in reference to the I’ll Stand By You single and music video.
Another said they'd been reduced to tears by the appearance, writing: "Tthis had my in tears. She will be so proud of you doing this and thank you for doing this for us and Children in Need I know this would’ve been incredibly hard."
Cheryl’s appearance on TV comes one month after the death of her ex partner Liam. In the days after his passing, the Parachute singer shared a heartfelt statement on social media. “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,” it read.
“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 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”
