Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Liam Payne are "madly in love", according to Simon Cowell. The music mogul has discussed the pair's blossoming relationship in an interview with The Sun, admitting he had no clue that they were dating before the news was revealed in February.
"I saw them together and we had a really nice dinner. They were on good form," Simon said. "They're like two little chipmunks madly in love. Literally they were so cute."
Simon Cowell said Cheryl and Liam are "so cute" together
The X Factor judge also gave the new couple his seal of approval, explaining: "But importantly they both seemed very happy and very relaxed. I'm happy for them."
Cheryl and Liam's relationship came to light at the end of February, with the couple said to have struck up a close bond after One Direction's performance at the X Factor final in December.
They have since made no secret for their affection for one another on social media, with Liam calling Cheryl his "favourite woman in the world" in an endearing Instagram post to mark International Women's Day.
The music mogul met up with the couple for dinner
"Hope I make you as happy as u make me," he wrote.
Cheryl, meanwhile, shared her own philosophy about love in a recent Instagram post which read: "I fall in love with souls, not faces."
Alongside the simple message, Cheryl wrote a series of love heart emojis – leading many to assume the quote was meant for her new boyfriend.
It is not only Simon Cowell who has given Cheryl and Liam his approval. Cheryl's close friend Perrie Edwards, who was previously engaged to Liam's ex-bandmate Zayn Malik, said she was "happy" for the couple.
"Whatever makes her happy I think is fine," Perrie told The Mirror's 3am. "Cheryl is a good friend of mine. She wants to do whatever makes her happy."