Congratulations to Cheryl and Liam Payne, who have welcomed their first child together! Cheryl, 33, announced the happy news on Instagram on Saturday night. Alongside a photo of 23-year-old Liam cradling their baby son, she wrote: "On Wednesday 22nd March Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy, weighing 7lb 9 and looking like a dream. Although he still doesn't have a name he is already stealing hearts. We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers around the world. A day that now has a different meaning to me forever."
New dad Liam also took to Instagram to share the same photo, writing: "My close friends and family know there are very few times when I'm left speechless... wow! I'm incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world, it's a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favourite memory I have so far. I'm completely in awe of his incredible mother and how she has been the whole way through this, she's really made my dreams come true. We haven't named him yet but he's already capturing hearts including mine. I feel very blessed. Happy Mother's Day everyone!"
Cheryl's pregnancy was one of the most talked-about celebrity stories of 2016 – despite the fact that neither she nor Liam ever spoke about it. After weeks of speculation, confirmation that the couple were expecting finally came when Cheryl stepped out sporting a sizeable baby bump for a Christmas carol concert at the end of November. Three months later, in February, she proudly showed off her blossoming tummy in anew campaign photo for L'Oreal and The Prince's Trust
Cheryl's baby bump: All the photos
Cheryl and Liam have both previously spoken about their desire to start a family. In August 2014, the former X Factor star told GQ magazine: "I'd love kids. I'm obsessed with babies. Of course I've thought about baby names. A million times! I like Alfie for a little boy. I know that's what I was put on this earth to do. To be a mother." For his part, One Direction star Liam, 23, has also said he would love to be a dad. Speaking to Magic Radio in August 2015, he said: "I wanna have kids when, you know, I have the time, but at the moment life's so busy, and I wouldn't want to commit to something like that when I haven't got the necessary time for it yet. That's my careful planning ahead!"
Why Cheryl and Liam are the perfect match
Congratulations to the first-time parents!